Candace Fleming

Candace Fleming is an Executive Fellow in the Harvard IQSS Startup Foundry, where she works at the intersection of data, innovation, and entrepreneurship. With over two decades of experience as a finance and operations leader, she has helped build and scale companies by turning complex ideas into practical, high-impact businesses.

She has served as both CEO and COO across multiple ventures (including co-founding Crimson Hexagon with Gary King), leading efforts in fundraising, operational strategy, and team development. Her work is grounded in data-driven decision-making and focused on execution, particularly in early-stage and rapidly evolving environments.

At IQSS, Candace partners with Harvard faculty on translating their research and ideas into commercial applications. As part of the Start-up Foundry, she works on venture creation and development efforts, helping shape strategy, evaluating pathways to commercialization, and building the operational and financial foundations needed to bring research-driven innovations to market. Her work spans Harvard’s interdisciplinary ecosystem, engaging with faculty and projects across multiple schools to advance ideas with meaningful societal impact.

Candace holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and degrees in Industrial engineering and English from Stanford University.