We have a "kabbalat shabbat" every thursday between 4:30 and 5:00 (food and gossip). Should I bring Chanukah candles and light them after shki’a (I think ~4:45)? If so, should we get someone who won’t light at home to say Brachot? I might be asked to light - I assume I don’t make a bracha?

Chanukah candles have to be lit at home (or shule) and not at work, you should light them at work as “Pirsumai Nissa” – publicising the miracle, but with no Brachah.