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DR. CANDACE WARNER

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Candace Warner, PH.D.

Dr. Candace Warner is a corporate and economic sociologist, educator, and business consultant dedicated to making workplaces better for all people. As the Founder and CEO of people3, Inc., headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A., she leads a globally recognized consulting firm that partners with organizations to foster people-centered workplace cultures.

With over two decades of experience, Dr. Warner has worked with more than 200 organizations across corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors, helping them navigate the complexities of organizational culture, people-centered success strategies, inclusion, and economic growth. Her expertise extends internationally, having collaborated with businesses and institutions across the U.S., Singapore, Australia, and the UK. A passionate global thinker, she has traveled to over 17 countries, shaping her approach to international workforce development and corporate consulting.

Dr. Warner spent 18 years in academia as a Sociology Professor and Department Chair at Columbia State Community College. She also led global education initiatives, including study abroad programs in India and South Africa. She holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy from Tennessee State University, a Master’s in Sociology, and a B.A. in Commercial Music with a Business Marketing minor from Mississippi University for Women.

Dr. Warner’s thought leadership and contributions to business and society have earned her numerous accolades, including Women of Influence Winner in the Top Executive Category by the Nashville Business Journal, Second Place (only behind Trevor Noah) Anthem Award’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leader of the Year.

As a forward-thinking corporate sociologist, Dr. Warner continues to champion strategies that prioritize people, cultivate inclusive economies, and ensure that workplaces across industries and borders are built for the success of all people.

The understanding of people and expansion of empathy drives my life’s work. To understand someone else’s view and world from their perspective–this is something sociologists do all the time–and I try to do this every day. I’m always growing and learning from others and advancing my own empathy skills.

From a young age, I’ve been passionate about understanding people––understanding people, helping people navigate people differences, and creating workplaces and economic spaces where people can be their best. When people are their best, businesses and economics grow. People make the world go round, and I’ve dedicated my life to the work of leveraging people’s experiences to advance organizations and communities.

–Dr. Candace Warner

Dr. Candace Warner Honors and Awards

  • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Leader of the Year—Silver Winner, The Anthem Awards   –  2022
  • Best in Business, Finalist – People3, Inc., Nashville Business Journal   –  2021
  • Women of Influence–Top Executive, Nashville Business Journal   –  2021
  • Research Fellowship Recipient, Council of American Overseas Research Centers   –  2019
  • Outstanding Alumni, Valdosta State University   –  2016
  • Faculty Excellence Award, National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) – 2010
  • Distinguished Faculty Award, Columbia State Community College – 2010

Speaking Engagements

Inclusive Organizations

With over 20 presentations in this area, Dr. Warner is a leading voice on how to build truly inclusive workplaces. Her sessions blend research, practical frameworks, and organizational strategy to help companies embed inclusion into everyday operations—from leadership practices and employee engagement to recruitment, communication, and accountability. These talks are especially useful to HR teams, people leaders, and mission-driven organizations seeking to create high-performing, human-centered cultures that reflect modern workforce values.

  • Inclusion and Resilience in Today’s Organizations | Tennessee Consortium for International Studies | 2023

  • Importance of DEI in Organizations | Spring Hill Chamber of Commerce – Climb | 2023

  • Best Practices for DEI in Organizations | Nashville Score | 2022

  • DEI in Organizations | WGNS Radio | 2022

  • Implementing DEI in Higher Education | Women in Higher Education in Tennessee | 2022

  • Implementing an Effective DEI Strategy | Association of Energy Services Professionals Annual Conference | 2022

  • Measuring the True Impact of DEI | Inc. Magazine | Inc. 5000 Conference | 2021

  • Diversity and Inclusion in the Public Sector | Municipal Technical Advisory Service Conference | 2019

  • Diversity & Inclusion in the Nashville Workforce | Nashville Technology Council | 2018

  • Diversity & Inclusion in Nashville Tech | Nashville Technology Council | 2018

  • Diversity & Inclusion in Nashville Tech | Nashville Technology Council | 2018

  • Diversity & Inclusion in the Tech Industry | Women in Technology in Tennessee | 2018

  • The State of Diversity & Inclusion in Nashville | American Public Library Association | 2018

  • Do’s & Don’ts of Diversity & Inclusion Training | TN Diversity Consortium (TDC) | 2019

  • The Why of DEI Work in Organizations and Best Practices for Building an Impactful Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiative | TN Conference on Volunterism and Service Learning | 2021

  • DEI in Marketing | Hillsboro High School | 2021

  • Plenary: The Future of Work – Insights from the Private Sector | Consortium of University Public Service Organizations (CUPSO) | 2022

  • How to Become an Employer of Choice | PowderKeg Unvalley | 2022

  • DEI in Organizations | Vanderbilt MBA Program | 2023

State of DEI

Dr. Warner has delivered multiple talks analyzing the evolution of diversity, equity, and inclusion during a time of cultural and political disruption. From 2024 to 2025, she has helped organizations navigate the backlash and redefinition of DEI, offering data-informed strategies for fostering cultures of belonging without politicization. Her sessions examine the shifting workforce narrative—from performative compliance to measurable, values-driven action. Audiences have included business leaders, nonprofit executives, and industry associations seeking direction on what DEI means today—and what comes next.

  • Culture and Belonging: Meeting the Moment | Advancing Women in Nashville (AWIN) Annual Conference | 2025

  • Leading through Disruption | Southeastern Leadership Conference | 2025

  • Inclusive Organizations and Cultures | BISA-Bank Insurance & Securities Association | 2025

  • Evolution of DEI & Effective DEI Strategy | Southeastern Diversity & Leadership Conference | 2024

  • Exploring Diversity and Inclusion in the Tech Industry: Bridging the Workforce Divide | MTSU LGBT+ Conference | 2018

Women in Leadership

Dr. Warner’s work on women in leadership highlights the systemic challenges and economic realities women face, while championing resilience, innovation, and equity. Her talks span industries—from healthcare to construction—and bring a sociological lens to questions of representation, pay equity, and power. These sessions are especially valuable for teams exploring intersectionality, the impact of COVID-19 on women, and inclusive workforce development.

  • Economic Impact of COVID-19 on Women and Minorities | International Women’s Day Nashville | 2021

  • A Seat at the Table: Women in the Workforce | JumpCon Sales Conference | 2019

  • Women in Leadership: Bridging the Divide | Advancing Women in Nashville (AWIN) | 2019

  • Diversity and Inclusion in the Nashville Construction Industry | Nashville Association for Women in Construction | 2019

Economic, Poverty, & Political

Dr. Warner’s sessions in this area examine the intersection of workforce policy, economic mobility and inequality, and labor market forces. With a background in public administration and international development, she explores how government policy, wage structures, and employment systems impact workers—particularly in terms of pay equity, poverty, and access to opportunity. Her talks offer a nuanced look at the structural factors influencing economic outcomes and provide a research-based lens on workforce challenges in both domestic and global contexts.

  • Navigating Diversity and Inclusion Challenges in the Current Political Climate | TCPRA Conference | 2023

  • Income Inequality and Poverty in the United States and China | Tennessee State University | 2009

  • Politics and Perceptions in a Traditionalistic State | Tennessee State University | 2008

Unconscious Bias

In these thought-provoking sessions, Dr. Warner breaks down the science and sociology of unconscious bias—across race, age, illness, and workplace dynamics. She challenges assumptions and provides tools for self-awareness and institutional change. Whether exploring implicit bias in healthcare, multigenerational leadership, or race and identity in corporate spaces, these talks are designed to disrupt status-quo thinking while encouraging deeper reflection.

  • Multi-Generational Leadership Panel | Advancing Women in Nashville (AWIN) Annual Summit | 2024

  • Black in Corporate America | Transformation Life Center | 2022

  • Hacking Implicit Bias | Hacking HR Nashville Chapter | 2020

  • Sickle Cell Disease: It’s (NOT) Just a Black Thing | Breaking the Sickle Cell Cycle | 2020

Cultural Competency

With a global and sociological lens, Dr. Warner’s presentations on cultural competency emphasize the importance of navigating difference with humility, intelligence, and curiosity. Drawing on her experiences in India, Haiti, and South Africa—as well as her research and teaching on race, identity, and globalization—she guides leaders and educators in building meaningful cross-cultural relationships. These sessions are especially valuable to international education groups and global organizations looking to enhance collaboration, cultural intelligence, and inclusive practices across borders.

  • Using the Sociological Perspective: Fostering Cultural Competency in Today’s Study Abroad Students | 12th Annual TnCIS Conference on International Education | 2018

  • Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Study Abroad | TNCIS | 2020

  • Culturally Competent and Inclusive Organizations | University of Wollongong, Dubai, Dr. Mustafa’s Class | 2021

  • Under One Umbrella: United in International Education | Inclusion and Resilience in Today’s Organizations | TNCIS | 2023