A seasoned brand strategist and results oriented marketer, Candace has nearly 20 years of experience creating and growing hospitality brands and concepts. Having worked with clients ranging from large corporations, to bespoke properties, multi-concept operators, and Silicon Valley startups, she’s adept at translating creative vision into communications programs that build brands and generate revenue. Prior to launching Carbonate, Candace was Managing Director of Consulting Services at af&co., one of the country’s leading hospitality consulting firms. In this role, she led a team in creating, launching and refining brand identities for over 40 different restaurants, hotels, and culinary experiences nationwide. Her team also authored af&co.’s highly regarded annual hospitality trend report for over a decade. Candace holds a B.S. in Communications from Northwestern University and an M.S in Integrated Marketing Communications from Northwestern University’s Medill School. A former actress and classically trained vocalist, Candace has performed on stage, tv and in film. She can even be spotted in a vintage McDonalds commercial, “This is my McDonalds!”