Dr. Carla Ludwig

I attribute my success to faith, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to purpose — along with the people who have walked alongside me every step of the way.

Raising six children in eight years while building a professional career taught me early on that success is not accidental. It is built through discipline, sacrifice, resilience, and an ability to adapt when life doesn’t follow a straight line. Those years shaped how I lead, how I solve problems, and how I build organizations today.

I’ve also learned that success is never achieved alone. I am deeply grateful for the mentors, colleagues, volunteers, donors, and community partners who have believed in my vision and helped transform it into sustainable impact. Whether in healthcare, nonprofit leadership, or workforce development, I surround myself with people who are talented, compassionate, and mission-driven.

Most of all, I attribute my success to a clear sense of calling. I have always believed that when your work is aligned with your values, challenges become opportunities and obstacles become invitations to innovate. My life’s work has been about building pathways for women and families to thrive — and that purpose continues to guide every decision I make.

To me, success is not just what I’ve built, but who has been lifted along the way.

The best career advice I ever received was to build a life, not just a résumé.

Early in my career, I was reminded that success is not measured only by titles or achievements, but by the people you raise, the relationships you nurture, and the impact you leave behind. That perspective shaped every decision I made — from pursuing dentistry and leadership roles, to raising six children in the span of eight years, to eventually founding Hope for Single Moms.

There were seasons when my professional life demanded everything I had, and seasons when my family needed me more. I learned that balance is not about doing everything at once, but about knowing what matters most in each chapter of life and being fully present there.

Raising six children while building a career taught me discipline, resilience, time management, and the power of community. It also taught me that women don’t have to choose between ambition and family — they can build both, with intention, courage, and support.

That advice continues to guide how I lead today. I build organizations the same way I built my family — with purpose, perseverance, faith, and a deep belief in the potential of every person.

My advice to young women entering this field is to lead with both passion and preparation. Purpose will fuel your perseverance, but skill, discipline, and resilience will sustain you for the long run.

The nonprofit and social impact sector is deeply meaningful work, but it also demands strategic thinking, strong leadership, and the courage to solve complex problems. Surround yourself with mentors, stay curious, and never stop learning. Build systems that turn compassion into results, and remember that impact is greatest when heart and excellence work together.

Most importantly, don’t be afraid to take up space. Your voice matters. Your ideas matter. And the communities you serve need leaders who are bold enough to believe that lasting change is possible.

The biggest challenges in the nonprofit and social impact sector are twofold. First, we are working in a “feel-good-now” culture that often prioritizes crisis care and crisis management over long-term solutions. Breaking cycles of poverty requires sustained investment, patience, and a willingness to support comprehensive, multi-year pathways to economic independence. At Hope for Single Moms, we operate on a “teach a woman to fish” model. We don’t offer only temporary fixes — we build pathways to lasting independence.

The second major challenge is fundraising in an increasingly crowded and competitive landscape. There are many worthy causes, but transformational change requires partners who are willing to invest in outcomes, not just intentions.

At the same time, the opportunity before us is extraordinary.

Research shows that the number one predictor of a child’s future success is their mother’s educational level. When a mother thrives, her children thrive!

That’s why, in addition to our college and skilled trades education programs, we are expanding into workforce readiness and paid training. Both pathways provide comprehensive wraparound support, including mentoring, childcare, transportation, and life assistance — which we credit with our 85–90% graduation and completion rate compared to the national average of just 8% for single mothers pursuing higher education.

This work is not charity. It is an investment in women and children — and that investment breaks generational poverty, strengthens families, and builds a stronger society.

The values that matter most to me are faith, family, integrity, and service.

Faith gives me perspective and purpose. It reminds me that leadership is a responsibility, not a privilege, and that the work I do is about something far greater than personal success.

Family grounds me. Raising six children taught me that love, resilience, and presence matter more than perfection. It also shaped how I build organizations — with compassion, accountability, and a deep belief in the potential of every person.

Integrity guides every decision I make. Whether in healthcare, nonprofit leadership, or community work, I believe in doing what is right, even when it is difficult, and building trust through consistency and transparency.

And finally, service is at the heart of everything I do. I believe we are all called to use our gifts, talents, and resources to lift others. When women are empowered, families are strengthened, and communities are transformed.

These values are the foundation of my leadership and the legacy I hope to leave.