Candice Storey Lee: Vanderbilt University athletic director

Candice Storey Lee was recruited to play basketball for Vanderbilt University, and halfway through the drive from Alabama, she changed her mind. She begged her dad to turn the truck around. But he stayed the course. That was 30 years ago, and since making it to West End, she has not looked back, though she admits she never thought she'd stay at Vanderbilt this long. Three degrees later — bachelor's, master's and doctorate — she's the director of athletics at Vanderbilt, oversees about 425 student athletes and a $150 million budget. Head football coach Clark Lea called her the best leader he's ever worked for, and she's leading the school's sports program as some of its most high-profile teams, including football, are surging. She says the best is still to come. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices