Candace A. Bond
Candace A. Bond is a civic leader, entrepreneur, and former United States Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago. A Harvard-trained executive, she brings more than three decades of experience spanning government, business, and philanthropy- advancing cross-sector partnerships that drive economic development, sustainability, and equity.
Civic and Business Leader | Former United States Ambassador to Trinidad
and Tobago
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others"
Candace A. Bond
Candace A. Bond is a civic leader, entrepreneur, and former United States Ambassador to Trinidad & Tobago. A Harvard-trained executive, she brings more than three decades of experience spanning government, business, and philanthropy- advancing cross-sector partnerships that drive economic development, sustainability, and equity.
City Manager of Malibu
Following the devastating fires that destroyed 700 homes and displaced thousands of residents, Ms. Bond stepped into the leadership role of Interim City Manager and successfully stabilized operations, restored trust and continuity while providing clear strategic direction for the City of Malibu.
Civic and Business Leader | Former United States Ambassador to Trinidad & Tobago
current position
Ms. Bond currently serves as Interim City Manager of Malibu, California, leading one of the state's most complex disaster recovery efforts following the devastating 2025 Palisades fires. She oversees day-to-day operations and inter-agency coordination with state and federal partners, manages multi-billion-dollar rebuilding initiatives, and directs the city's fiscal and environmental recovery while ensuring transparent, community-centered governance.
CURRENT POSITION
City Manager of Malibu
Following the devastating fires that destroyed 700 homes and displaced thousands of residents, Ms. Bond stepped into the leadership role of Interim City Manager and successfully stabilized operations, restored trust and continuity while providing clear strategic direction for the
City of Malibu.
Ms. Bond currently serves as Interim City Manager of Malibu, California, leading one of the state's most complex disaster recovery efforts following the devastating 2025 Palisades fires. She oversees day-to-day operations and inter-agency coordination with state and federal partners, manages multi-billion-dollar rebuilding initiatives, and directs the city's fiscal and environmental recovery while ensuring transparent, community-centered governance.
diplomatic career: International Relations
Climate and Sustainable Development
She was also nominated in 2023 for the prestigious Department of State Sue M. Cobb Award, which recognized her achievement of important policy and diplomatic objectives while exercising superlative leadership of staff internally within the mission.
US Ambassador to Trinidad & Tobago
President Joe Biden nominated Bond as U.S. Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago in March 2022. Vice President Kamala Harris ceremonially swore her in on November 15, 2022, and she presented her credentials to President Paula-Mae Weekes on December 8, 2022.
US Ambassador to Trinidad & Tobago
As Ambassador, Bond spearheaded U.S. foreign policy initiatives across security cooperation, economic development, and humanitarian assistance, achieving historic results across the Caribbean region.
Economic Development
Bond led negotiations for a $500 million Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Trinidad and Tobago, advancing critical infrastructure across maritime security, cybersecurity, renewable energy, water sanitation, and port modernization.
Multi-Country
Security Cooperation
Under her leadership, bilateral security cooperation expanded significantly, resulting in a 350% increase in narcotics seizures and the largest land seizure in Trinidad and Tobago's history. She successfully executed landmark, complex, multi-stakeholder agreements including the Treaty of San José, the Status of Forces Agreement, and the Human Rights Initiative.
Humanitarian Impact
Bond implemented an innovative pilot program that, for the first time in Trinidad and Tobago's history, integrated Venezuelan migrant children into the nation's public school system, addressing a critical regional humanitarian challenge.
She advanced sustainable development goals throughout the Caribbean region, building climate resilience and facilitating the transition to clean, renewable energy.
For her exemplary service,
Bond became the first diplomat in Trinidad and Tobago's history to receive the nation's highest honor, the Hummingbird Medal (Gold) in 2025
President Joe Biden nominated Bond as U.S. Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago in March 2022. Vice President Kamala Harris ceremonially swore her in on November 15, 2022, and she presented her credentials to President Paula-Mae Weekes on December 8, 2022.
diplomatic career: International Relations
US Ambassador to Trinidad & Tobago
Ambassadorial Achievements (2022-2025)
As Ambassador, Bond spearheaded U.S. foreign policy initiatives across security cooperation, economic development, and humanitarian assistance, achieving historic results across the Caribbean region.
Under her leadership, bilateral security cooperation expanded significantly, resulting in a 350% increase in narcotics seizures and the largest land seizure in Trinidad and Tobago's history. She successfully executed landmark, complex, multi-stakeholder agreements including the Treaty of San José, the Status of Forces Agreement, and the Human Rights Initiative.
Economic Development
Bond led negotiations for a $500 million Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Trinidad and Tobago, advancing critical infrastructure across maritime security, cybersecurity, renewable energy, water sanitation, and port modernization.
Multi-Country Security Cooperation
She advanced sustainable development goals throughout the Caribbean region, building climate resilience and facilitating the transition to clean, renewable energy.
Humanitarian Impact
Bond implemented an innovative pilot program that, for the first time in Trinidad and Tobago's history, integrated Venezuelan migrant children into the nation's public school system, addressing a critical regional humanitarian challenge.
Climate and Sustainable Development
For her exemplary service, Bond became the first diplomat in Trinidad and Tobago's history to receive the nation's highest honor, the Hummingbird Medal (Gold) in 2025
She was also nominated in 2023 for the prestigious Department of State Sue M. Cobb Award, which recognized her achievement of important policy and diplomatic objectives while exercising superlative leadership of staff internally within the mission.
GENERAL INQUIRIES & BOOKING
Mayor Marianne Riggins
"Ambassador Bond brings the heart of a neighbor and the skills of a world-class leader.”
Education
Before entering public service, Ms. Bond built a distinguished career in the media and entertainment industry. She held executive roles at Motown Records, dePasse Entertainment, and Essence Communications, where she oversaw production for the Essence Music Festival and Essence Awards telecast. Her leadership at Motown drove a three-fold increase in revenues and resulted in the production of over 100 music titles featuring iconic artists such as Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, and Marvin Gaye. Her contributions to cultural preservation and diversity in media have been featured in the Netflix documentary The Black Godfather and Harvard Business School’s Bulletin.
Ms. Bond serves on numerous boards and advisory councils focused on education, health equity, and economic innovation, including the Martin Luther King Health and Wellness Community Development Corporation, the Los Angeles County Office of Education, the Greater LA Education Foundation, and Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science. She is also a founding organizer of BioLA, a public-private initiative accelerating life-sciences growth across Los Angeles County.
In the private sector, Ms. Bond is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of AESA Inc., a strategic advisory firm specializing in environmental sustainability, community development, and corporate governance. Under her leadership, AESA has managed over $4 billion in public-private development projects for clients including Skanska USA, McCarthy Builders, and the Annie E. Casey Foundation. She also serves as Principal at Beacon Rose Partners, a real-estate investment firm focused on social-impact ventures.
Advisory Firm ASEA Inc
Music & Entertainment
Boards & Leadership
Candace A. Bond earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government with honors from Harvard College, followed by a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School
Ms. Bond lives in Malibu with her husband, attorney Steven McKeever; they have two amazing children, Brent and Maddox and a lovable Vizsla, Nelson.
executive leadership
education
executive leadership
Music & Entertainment
Before entering public service, Ms. Bond built a distinguished career in the media and entertainment industry. She held executive roles at Motown Records, dePasse Entertainment, and Essence Communications, where she oversaw production for the Essence Music Festival and Essence Awards telecast. Her leadership at Motown drove a three-fold increase in revenues and resulted in the production of over 100 music titles featuring iconic artists such as Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, and Marvin Gaye. Her contributions to cultural preservation and diversity in media have been featured in the Netflix documentary The Black Godfather and Harvard Business School’s Bulletin.
Boards & Leadership
Ms. Bond serves on numerous boards and advisory councils focused on education, health equity, and economic innovation, including the Martin Luther King Health and Wellness Community Development Corporation, the Los Angeles County Office of Education, the Greater LA Education Foundation, and Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science. She is also a founding organizer of BioLA, a public-private initiative accelerating life-sciences growth across
Los Angeles County.
Advisory Firm ASEA Inc
In the private sector, Ms. Bond is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of AESA Inc., a strategic advisory firm specializing in environmental sustainability, community development, and corporate governance. Under her leadership, AESA has managed over $4 billion in public-private development projects for clients including Skanska USA, McCarthy Builders, and the Annie E. Casey Foundation. She also serves as Principal at Beacon Rose Partners, a real-estate investment firm focused on social-impact ventures.
education
Education
Ms. Bond lives in Malibu with her husband, attorney Steven McKeever; they have two amazing children, Brent and Maddox and a lovable
Vizsla, Nelson.
Candace A. Bond earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government with honors from Harvard College, followed by a Master of Business Administration from
Harvard Business School
Bond's distinguished career has earned numerous accolades across diplomatic, business, and community service sectors.
Community Leadership:
Diplomatic Honors:
Leadership Recognition:
Co-Chair of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Diversity Committee
Recognition as one of LA's Women Leaders by the Los Angeles County Office of Education.
Trinidad and Tobago National Hummingbird Medal (Gold) (2025)
First diplomat in history to receive this highest national honor
Sue M. Cobb Award nomination (2023)
U.S. State Department recognition for exemplary diplomatic service (one of eleven non-career ambassadors nominated)
Kenneth A. Powell Award for Professional Achievement (2024) Harvard Business School African American Alumni Association.
Woman of the Year – Los Angeles County Commission for Women (2014)
Woman of Distinction – Special Needs Network (2013)
Presidential appointment – Barack Obama's Advisory Committee on the Arts for the Kennedy Center
recognition and awards
recognition and awards
Community Leadership:
Bond's distinguished career has earned numerous accolades across diplomatic, business, and community service sectors.
Co-Chair of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Diversity Committee
Recognition as one of LA's Women Leaders by the Los Angeles County Office of Education.
Diplomatic Honors:
Trinidad and Tobago National Hummingbird Medal
(Gold) (2025)
First diplomat in history to receive this highest
national honor
Sue M. Cobb Award
nomination (2023)
U.S. State Department recognition for exemplary diplomatic service (one of eleven non-career ambassadors nominated)
Kenneth A. Powell Award for Professional Achievement (2024) Harvard Business School African American Alumni Association.
Leadership Recognition:
Woman of the Year – Los Angeles County Commission for Women (2014)
Woman of Distinction – Special Needs Network (2013)
Presidential appointment – Barack Obama's Advisory Committee on the Arts for the Kennedy Center