Carol Ann Lawler

Carol Ann Lawler is the founder of Next Wave Rising, a wellness coaching practice launched in 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Through workshops, retreats, speaking engagements, and coaching, she helps individuals approaching or entering retirement navigate their next chapter with greater confidence, clarity, vitality, and purpose. Her integrative approach incorporates movement, mindfulness, guided imagery, reflection, and small-group discussion to help participants identify what energizes them and make intentional choices for their future.

Carol brings extensive experience in senior adult wellness, spiritual care, hospice and palliative care, grief counseling, and education. She served as Minister of Spiritual Wellness at Southminster Retirement Community, where she supported residents, facilitated caregiver and grief support groups, and led mindfulness and meditation sessions. Previously, she worked with Senior TLC as a Wellness and Education Coordinator and with VIA Health Partners as a chaplain, grief counselor, and Faith Community Educator. Her work has included bereavement programming, gentle yoga, caregiver education, healthy-aging presentations, and discussions about spirituality at the end of life. She also served in ministry roles in New England for 15 years and is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ.

Alongside her professional work, Carol is committed to personal growth, resilience, authenticity, gratitude, and compassionate service. She encourages people to believe in themselves, take risks, and begin moving toward their goals without waiting to have every answer. Through Next Wave Rising, she aims to empower retirees and caregivers to prioritize their own well-being while discovering meaningful ways to contribute to others. She also volunteers as an English tutor at the Refugee Resettlement Center in Charlotte, reflecting her commitment to education and community support.