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Member Spotlight: Marcy Davis & Candeo

Meet Marcy Davis, CEO of Candeo

Building Community, Creating Opportunity and Never Giving Up

JCandeo’s story began in 1992, when a group of parents at Ankeny High School came together with a shared vision to create greater opportunities and a brighter future for their children. Their goal was clear; that students in special education live full lives in all high school activities and remain well known in the community.

At the time, adult services were largely facility-based, and there were no comparable services available locally. The families did not want their children to have to leave the community where they had built relationships, or transition into settings that felt isolating. Working alongside educators, the parents set out to create another path, one grounded in inclusion, independence and community.

That effort became Creative Community Options, Inc., now known as Candeo. The organization opened its doors as a Home and Community Based Services provider and became Iowa’s first 100% community-based provider.

More than three decades later, that commitment to community remains at the heart of Candeo’s work.

Growing With a Mission

Leading this work is CEO Marcy Davis, who has served in her role since 1996, and has led the organization in expending services and evolved the budget to be over 30 times what it was since initially taking on her position.

For Davis, however, Canada’s growth is about much more than numbers.

After relocating from Texas, where she had worked as an employment team leader, Davis was drawn to Candeo because of the organization’s commitment to ensuring that each person receiving services remains at the center of the decisions that shape their life.

Supporting People Through Complex Needs

That determination has become increasingly important as the individuals Candeo support face more complicated and interconnected needs. As just one example, Davis points to the growing need to provide addiction recovery support while also addressing the many other complex needs individuals may experience.

At the same time, community-based providers continue to navigate persistent financial challenges.

Candeo has worked to “stretch the funds, limit indirect expenses and leverage grants, financial donations and in-kind donations.”

Despite those challenges, the motivation behind the work remains clear.

“My motivation, along with many of our employees, is the people we support,” Davis said. “We believe in them, respect them and are honored to be given the opportunity to walk with them to a better future.”

The rewards come in both moments of celebration and moments when support matters most.

Stronger Through Connection

For Davis, membership in the Iowa Association of Community Providers has also played an important role throughout her career with Candeo.

“IACP is a critical asset to our provider community, and I can’t imagine trying to lead Candeo and keep up with all the changes, challenges and news without the support of our IACP team,” Davis said.

That support comes in many forms, from advocacy and training to conferences, committees and opportunities to build relationships with fellow providers.

“One critical benefit is the connection to other providers,” Davis said. “The networking opportunities have benefited me as Candeo’s CEO and Candeo many times.”

Throughout her involvement with IACP, Davis has served on the Membership Committee, Political Action Committee, Training Committee and Board of Directors. Each experience, she said, has created opportunities to strengthen relationships and continue learning from others throughout Iowa’s provider community.

Recognizing the People Behind the Work

When Davis thinks about what she wishes more people understood about community-based services, one role stands out in particular: the Direct Support Professional.

She believes the responsibilities carried by Direct Support Professionals, and the knowledge, compassion and adaptability required of them, deserve greater recognition.

“In my mind, the Direct Support Professional is the same kind of hero and our police officers, first responders and healthcare professionals.”, she says.

HCBS services have expanded; the needs of the people we support have become increasingly complex and the provider landscape continues to change. But the principle at the center of Candeo’s work remains remarkably consistent: believe in people, support their right to direct their own lives and keep working toward solutions.

Or, as Davis and the Candeo team put it, follow “The Candeo Way”, and never give up.