Candace Queen Joins the American Advertising Federation as VP, AAF Mosaic Centre

Steve Pacheco, president and CEO, American Advertising Federation (AAF), announced that Candace Queen has joined the industry association in the role of VP, the AAF Mosaic Centre. The AAF Mosaic Centre implements all of the AAF’s multicultural and diversity initiatives, ranging from its Most Promising Multicultural Students program to Mosaic Awards, HBCUs for Advertising, APEX Multicultural Speakers Bureau and more. 

“This appointment is an example of how well the AAF develops Professionals and provides valuable leadership opportunities that lead to impactful roles that help shape our entire industry,” said Steve. “Candace has held leadership roles within the AAF at the Student Chapter, Ad 2 and Local AAF Chapter level.  She has participated in judging, facilitated workshops, and presented keynote presentations across a large portfolio of the AAF DE&I programs. Those experiences have given her a valuable perspective into the AAF’s evolution and insights on how to take the Mosaic Centre's work and visibility to the next level.”  He added, “All of this makes Candace the ideal person to lead The Mosaic Centre into the next chapter of growth, success and development.”

Ms. Queen has championed diversity, equity, and inclusion through her work with the AAF as the Chair of the Mosaic Next Generation Leadership Council, ADCOLOR as the Co-Chair of the ADCOLOR Advisory Board and serving on the SnapChat US Creative Council. She’s infused DEI in advertising curricula as an adjunct professor and lecturer for several universities and portfolio schools. Most recently she founded Tabernacle in 2019 - a branding and design consultancy where she’s guided agencies and brands in building and maintaining a community-centric ethos and equity-first approach in their brand’s DNA. Ms. Queen has been recognized as one of the 4A’s 100 People Who Make Advertising Great, a 4A’s MAIPer to Watch, a Bill Sharp Award Honouree, an ADCOLOR FUTURE alum and recipient of ADCOLOR’s Unsung Hero Award.

“The AAF has not only served as an integral foundation for my pivot into advertising over a decade ago, but has supported my growth and development in many ways.  So, to be able to contribute to the organisation in this capacity is an exciting opportunity and one that’s close to my heart,” commented Ms. Queen. “I truly believe the Mosaic Centre's work is more important than ever and am excited about the opportunity to be a part of its continued elevation.”

She starts at AAF on June 1st.