Longtime union leader DeQuasia Canales has always been dedicated to improving the workplaces and lives of members across the country. From her early days as a social worker and union steward to organizing workers nationwide, she now serves as the Acting Executive Vice President for the Florida region of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.

Since stepping into this leadership role with the state's largest union of healthcare workers, Canales has hit the ground running, fully embracing the "Build, Grow & Thrive" initiative launched by 1199SEIU's new leadership. She says the effort is much more than a slogan or campaign; it represents a sharpened focus and deep commitment to strengthening the union while serving the collective needs of members and their communities.

Under the initiative's "Build" strategies, developing member leaders is a key priority. To "Grow," the union is enhancing and activating efforts such as internal power-building, strong new employee orientations, and "union difference" programs. To help members and communities "Thrive," strengthening contract bargaining skills and building powerful public and political coalitions are viewed as essential.

Canales is excited to see Florida lean into these member-focused strategies and says the 1199SEIU Florida Region brings unique and essential strengths to the union family.

"The tenacity and agility of our members here in Florida really demonstrate how to make the impossible possible," she said. "Even in a 'right-to-work' state where workers lack key protections and Tallahassee doesn't care, we've found a way to move forward and make progress in our workplaces. We're willing to try creative approaches and engage in different ways for the benefit of our members and our communities."

One of Canales' greatest professional strengths is her ability to communicate and connect with people, including learning the languages that matter most to the workers she represents. While organizing in California with a significant Filipino workforce, she became proficient in Tagalog. She is fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, and conversational in Creole. Her Haitian colleagues in Florida agree that her skills are very solid—or, as they say, "li anfòm."

DeQuasia holds a Master's Degree in Leadership and Organizational Studies and is a Society for Human Resource Management-Certified Professional. She has worked with 1199SEIU in Florida since 2010 and has been a worker advocate and labor leader for more than 25 years.

Outside of work, she enjoys roller-skating, dancing, and traveling with her husband, children, and dogs.

Canales draws inspiration from civil rights leader Ella Baker and her belief in the importance of "unlock[ing] the power of every person to let them flourish." She also credits the strong legacy of her 1199SEIU Florida Executive Vice President predecessors. She describes Roxey Nelson, who served as EVP in Florida from 2022 to 2025, as "amazing" and someone who "led with love" even when decisions were difficult.

"I learned so much from Roxey," Canales said. "She left me with a great blueprint to work and prosper with our other fantastic leaders and members here."

Nelson, now Executive Director of the Office of Organization Development for 1199SEIU unionwide, describes "DQ" as a purposeful, straight-shooting "servant leader" who is "wickedly smart."

"I'm very proud for DeQuasia to step into this important role to guide our union to even greater heights in Florida and beyond," Nelson said. "She's the right leader to guide our dedicated staff and powerhouse membership of healthcare workers to build, grow, and thrive for years to come."