Meet our Founder
Our Leadership
Candace Warner, PH.D.
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 Honors
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion of the Year
Anthem Awards
Top Executive Category
Nashville Business Journal
Class of 2021
Council of American Overseas Research Centers & American Institute of Indian Studies
Outstanding Alumni
Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice
Valdosta State University
Faculty Excellence Award
National Institute for Staff & Organizational Development (NISOD)
Distinguished Faculty Award
Columbia State Community College
Professional Certifications
Membership Organizations
