Candace Allen

Board Member

Candace and her husband, Bob Richardson, retired early to fulfill their dream of ocean sailing. Together, they sailed their boat more than 40,000 miles, during which they made a humanitarian delivery of a ton of taro root to the remote Pacific Island Puka Puka. You can read about their sail from Seattle to New Zealand and back at the website http://www2.whidbey.net/bobr/

Prior to that, Candace was a principal with Mercer, a human resources consulting firm, and established its Pacific Northwest Communication Practice. She consulted with both private and public sector organizations on how best to communicate retirement, health care, and other benefits to employees. During her career with Mercer, she was appointed to its regional Professional Standards Committee and was named Practice Leader of Mercer’s National Communication Practice.

In 1997 she and Bob built their home on Whidbey Island and soon became active in Island life. As a founding member of the nonprofit Whidbey Island Writers Association, she volunteered in numerous facets and served on its board of directors for ten years. She is a freelance writer and editor and was the technical writer for ZF Marine Electronics during its development of the Joystick Maneuvering System.

Her own work has appeared in numerous publications including Sail, Sea, Cruising World, Log Home Living, Log Home Design, Motor Home, and others. She was the editor of Music To My Years, Life and Love Between the Notes, a memoir of Artie Kane, pianist, Hollywood studio musician, film composer, and conductor. See https://amphoraeditions.com/music-to-my-years/

Since 2007 she has been a volunteer for the Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST), a citizen science nonprofit organization. She also enjoys her book group, duplicate bridge, and spending time with family and friends.