Candace Thompson-Zachery is a nonprofit leader, strategist, and cultural producer working at the intersection of arts, administration, and equity-focused advocacy to create conditions where creative workers and mission-driven organizations can thrive. Rooted in her experience as a Trinidad-born artist navigating New York City’s cultural sector for over 15 years, her leadership blends strategic clarity, cultural fluency, and a commitment to equity and belonging.

From 2019 to 2025, she served at Dance/NYC—rising from Manager of Justice, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives to Co-Executive Director—where she led initiatives that advanced economic justice for the dance field. Her leadership grew program participation, expanded sponsorships, and elevated Dance/NYC’s national profile through initiatives like Dance. Workforce. Resilience., #ArtistsAreNecessaryWorkers, and #OurNYCDance, which helped influence city arts funding and worker-supportive policy.

Candace has also served as Co-Chair of Membership & Governance for the Creative States Coalition, is the Founding Executive Director of Dance Caribbean COLLECTIVE, and former volunteer/associate production manager for the New York Caribbean Carnival. She is a member of the Mayor’s Theater and Live Performance Industry Council and a former Steering Committee member for the Cultural Equity Coalition of NY.

Through her practice, Merle Moves & Strategies, she advises organizations and creative workers on leadership, team management, and event & program strategy/management. A Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach with an MA in Performance Curation and executive certificates in Arts & Culture Strategy and Nonprofit Leadership, she integrates wellness, leadership development, and cultural equity into all aspects of her work.