Her Story
About Carol
Carol is a dedicated workforce development leader, coach, and program management professional with more than 16 years of experience helping individuals and families overcome barriers to economic self-sufficiency. Based in Michigan, she currently leads a team of career coaches who assist families receiving cash assistance through state programs by connecting them with education, training, employment opportunities, and critical support services. Throughout her career, Carol has been driven by a passion for empowering people to break cycles of poverty and build sustainable futures for themselves and their families.
Carol's professional journey began in psychology and social work, where she worked closely with survivors of domestic violence and witnessed firsthand the importance of financial independence in helping individuals escape abuse and generational hardship. Her commitment to creating meaningful change led her into workforce development, where she has spent years helping participants identify career pathways, develop new skills, and overcome obstacles related to transportation, healthcare, mental health, and education. During the pandemic, she successfully transitioned into leadership roles, advancing from intake specialist to program director and lead career coach. Among her proudest accomplishments is leading the Wayne Link Program, which served more than 6,000 individuals and achieved a remarkable 67 percent employment rate for participants upon program completion.
Committed to lifelong learning and professional growth, Carol recently earned a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management and Leadership and continues to pursue advanced training in career development and leadership. She is a strong advocate for coaching-based workforce services that empower individuals rather than simply managing cases, believing that people achieve lasting success when they are equipped with the tools, confidence, and support to make their own informed decisions. Known for her compassionate leadership, ethical approach, and dedication to mentorship, Carol continues to make a lasting impact on her community while helping shape the next generation of workforce development professionals.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Carol
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to perseverance, adaptability, and a genuine commitment to helping others succeed. Throughout my career, I have been willing to learn new things, take on challenges, and step outside of my comfort zone. I believe in treating people with respect, listening to their needs, and finding practical solutions to challenges. I also hold myself accountable and continually look for ways to improve, both personally and professionally. Most importantly, I have learned that success is not just about individual accomplishments—it is about building relationships, supporting others, and making a meaningful difference in the communities and organizations I serve.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to never stop learning and to never underestimate the value of being willing to adapt. Careers don’t always follow a straight path, and some of the best opportunities come from being open to change and taking on challenges that stretch you. I’ve learned to focus less on whether I have every answer and more on being willing to learn, ask questions, and find solutions. That mindset has helped me grow professionally, take on new responsibilities, and continue moving forward even when the next step wasn’t always clear.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this field is to pursue a Career Development Facilitator (CDF) Certificate early in their careers. The certification helps shift your mindset from case management to coaching, equips you with valuable tools to better support clients, and can help prevent burnout by fostering a more empowering and sustainable approach to workforce development.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in workforce development is helping individuals transition into employment when many entry-level or low-wage positions do not provide enough income to offset the loss of critical benefits such as housing assistance, healthcare, and food support. At the same time, I see tremendous opportunities in rapidly growing fields such as healthcare, information technology, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence, where expanded training programs, scholarships, and initiatives like Michigan Reconnect are helping individuals gain the skills needed to secure sustainable, higher-paying careers.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me are integrity, respect, compassion, service, and continuous growth. I believe in treating people with dignity, being honest and accountable in my work, and following through on my commitments. I value collaboration and believe that everyone has strengths and potential that can be developed with the right support and encouragement. Both personally and professionally, I try to lead with empathy, remain open to learning, and contribute in ways that make a positive difference in the lives of others and the community.
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