From the CIA to Google: Why Candice Bryant Chose Entrepreneurship

Bryant’s professional journey began at a Towson University career fair, an event she nearly skipped due to a lack of professional attire. A recruiter at the CIA table steered her toward an analyst role, launching a career defined by rapid decision-making under uncertainty. After 16 years, she shifted into internal communications at the agency, a role that required translating classified complexities for a public-facing mission. In 2021, she moved to Google, where she managed internal communications for the Search division during the pivotal emergence of generative AI.

Working alongside engineers as they developed tools like NotebookLM, Bryant noticed a disconnect: while the technology was revolutionary, the general public remained largely unengaged. She concluded that the true barrier was not between Silicon Valley and policymakers, but between tech developers and everyday users. This realization prompted her departure from the corporate world in October 2023 to focus on independent consulting and product development. Today, her portfolio includes an AI-focused newsletter and the launch of Cello, an app designed to help users integrate AI into their daily routines. For Bryant, the transition is a natural extension of her past: she spent over a decade clarifying intelligence for presidents, and now she applies that same rigor to making technology accessible to everyone.