Meet our team
Everything we create is shaped by a team that moves with purpose, each bringing their own energy and expertise to the work.
Antione Cartez
Chief Learning Architect
Antione Cartez is an educator, speaker, and learning architect focused on bringing wellness, culture, and purpose back into education. As Chief Learning Architect of CANDU Education Partners, he creates high-impact professional development that helps schools reset energy, rebuild culture, and strengthen real leadership.
Grounded in over a decade of teaching and coaching in St. Louis, Antione blends lived experience with a clear, strategic vision. He holds an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Educational Leadership and advanced certifications in K–12 administration and Health & Physical Education.
Antione’s strength is his authenticity. He doesn’t just deliver PD, he builds systems and culture that last. His mission is simple:
“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”
― Maya Angelou
Esther Vamboi-Cartez
Director of Media & Storytelling
Esther leads all things media for CANDU — the visuals, storytelling, energy, and flow. Her background as a Critical Care RN shows up in her work: calm presence, precision, and a caring spirit that keeps every detail intentional.
She brings rhythm and order to the creative side of the mission, shaping how CANDU shows up in the world. From social media to content strategy to overall brand presence, Esther makes the message feel alive and aligned.
Her eye for detail and her instinct for what resonates help translate our purpose into visuals that move. She builds the look, the feel, and the consistency that keep the brand grounded across every platform.
Esther handles the media so the vision can land clearly. She keeps the story sharp, the presentation clean, and the creative side in motion
Benjamin Thistlewood
Design Director
Benjamin Thistlewood is CANDU’s AI-powered Design Director.
A creative tool built to help translate vision into clean, intentional visuals. This system supports everything from branding to layout to concept development, allowing CANDU to work faster and communicate with more clarity.
As an educator, I’ve always believed good tools should elevate the mission. Benjamin does exactly that. It strengthens our ability to share ideas, tell stories, and present work in a way that reflects wellness, culture, movement, and purpose.
Benjamin isn’t a person or a persona — it’s simply a modern creative partner woven into our workflow. The goal is straightforward: keep the work sharp, consistent, and aligned with the impact we’re building.