Her Story
About Carol
Carol Lopez is a seasoned education and college-and-career readiness professional currently serving as Training Team Lead at Xello. Based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, she leads a team of training specialists across North America, working closely with school districts to strengthen college and career readiness programs. With more than two decades of experience in education, she is known for her expertise in implementing scalable systems that help students explore post-secondary pathways and build actionable plans for their futures. Her career in education spans over 25 years and includes extensive experience in K–12 schools and district leadership. She spent many years with Broward County Public Schools, where she served as a school counselor and later as Supervisor of College and Career Readiness, leading district-wide initiatives and implementing nationally recognized programs in partnership with organizations such as the National College Attainment Network and the Florida College Access Network. Her work has consistently focused on building systems that connect students with meaningful academic, career, and workforce opportunities. At the core of Carol’s work is a deep commitment to equity, access, and student empowerment—especially for those who might otherwise be overlooked in traditional systems. As a first-generation college student who moved from Puerto Rico to the United States, her personal journey strongly informs her professional mission to ensure every student feels seen and supported. She holds advanced degrees in education and counseling, and continues to champion data-informed, compassionate approaches to college and career readiness that help students discover their potential and confidently navigate their futures.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Carol
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my faith, for sure. My faith has been the foundation that's carried me through everything. It's what got me to where I am today and continues to guide me in the work I do with students and educators.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is that you're there because you belong there, so speak up. As a Latina woman and a first-generation professional, I sometimes walk into rooms filled with men or non-minority colleagues, and it can be intimidating. But if I'm there, God got me there, so I might as well always have a voice. That advice has empowered me to claim my seat at the table and contribute confidently.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
If you keep shining, somebody always needs you. Be the person that you wanted somebody to be there for you. That's what I tell young women entering education. There are always going to be students, families, and colleagues who need what you have to offer. Show up as the mentor, the advocate, the supporter that you wished you had when you were starting out. That's how you make a real difference.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Right now, some of the biggest challenges in education are the economy changing and budget cuts. The Department of Education is being cut, and in the district I came from, there have been a lot of job cuts. I think about the state of education and how kids are going to get the right services. They're cutting so much of the mental health professionals and people to support people, so it's going to be tough to take that baton on by yourself. Changes in budget are going to affect education in a big way. But the opportunity is that we have the chance to do bigger work by volunteering and taking a chance. I know everybody has so much on their plate, but just an hour or two hours a month could really make a difference. If you find a place where you have a niche or something in your head is telling you that you could really be a shining star, go for it, because somebody will need it.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are empathy, intentionalism, and transparency. I'm also big on energy. I believe that the energy you put out is the energy you get back. These values guide how I show up for students, educators, and my own family every single day.
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