Her Story
About Carolyn
Carolyn is a seasoned logistics and global trade leader with a career rooted in discipline, technical expertise, and a passion for supply chain excellence. Currently serving as Director of Global Trade and Compliance at ACR (AmerCareRoyal), Carolyn brings extensive experience in international logistics, customs compliance, and transportation management within the consumer goods industry. Her journey began in the U.S. Army, where she started as an intelligence analyst before discovering her true calling in logistics—eventually teaching logistics, distribution, and deployment operations at the U.S. Army Transportation School. This foundation shaped her leadership style, instilling a strong commitment to teamwork, precision, and operational excellence. Following her military service, Carolyn transitioned seamlessly into the civilian sector, where she built a distinguished career managing complex global supply chains. She has led large-scale import and export operations, overseeing ocean freight from around the world, navigating U.S. Customs processes, and coordinating final-mile delivery to distribution centers and customers. Known for her strategic mindset and hands-on leadership, Carolyn has consistently driven improvements in efficiency, compliance, and cost optimization. Her impact has been recognized across the industry, including a nomination for the “Pros to Know” award by Supply & Demand Chain Executive for her work in supply chain transformation. A proud graduate of Texas A&M University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Maritime Administration as a non-traditional student, Carolyn exemplifies lifelong learning and professional growth. As a Licensed Customs Broker and Certified Customs Specialist, she combines deep regulatory knowledge with real-world operational insight. Respected for her integrity, collaborative approach, and ability to lead high-performing teams, Carolyn continues to elevate global trade operations while mentoring others and shaping the future of supply chain leadership.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Carolyn
01What do you attribute your success to?
A lot of who I am today comes from my time in the Army. I enlisted just four days after graduating high school, so I was still very young and essentially grew up in the military. Within a year, I found myself in my first war zone. Those early experiences shaped me in profound ways. The Army taught me teamwork, leadership, communication, resilience, and an unwavering sense of responsibility—lessons I continue to rely on every day. That foundation has carried me through my entire career, and I honestly don’t think I’d be where I am today without it.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One of my leaders told me that we need to move from the position of being right to being trusted. It's not always important to be right - it's more important to be trusted. That advice has really stuck with me throughout my career.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women to learn what you can and stay dedicated. Learning and knowledge is power, and it can take you a long way in this industry. Keep learning and stay committed to your growth.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Right now, I see the biggest challenge—and opportunity—around AI. It’s about learning not just what AI can do, but how it can genuinely help you work smarter and faster. The harder part is figuring out how to work with AI responsibly, especially in compliance. In my field, there’s a fine line between what must be handled by a licensed customs broker and where AI can provide support. U.S. regulations are very clear that customs work has to be performed by a licensed broker, so we’re actively navigating how to use AI as a tool—without crossing that line or compromising compliance.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Trust is the value that matters most to me. You can’t be successful without the trust of the people who work for you and alongside you. When that trust and sense of comfort exist, people are far more willing to share ideas, raise concerns, or ask for help. To me, that means being approachable and genuinely open. Trust creates the space for honest conversations, and I see it as the foundation of everything I do—both professionally and personally.
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