Her Story
About Carrie
I am a lifelong advocate, mentor, and guide for women navigating the most complex chapters of their lives. With more than four decades of experience in crisis support, family systems, community leadership, and personal transformation work, I’ve built a career rooted in resilience, compassion, and unshakeable determination. I hold advanced degrees in counseling and human development, which have shaped the foundation of my work and deepened my understanding of trauma, communication, and relational dynamics.
My professional journey has never been linear. It has been shaped by real life, real loss, real rebuilding, and a relentless commitment to growth. I’ve turned every challenge into insight and every season of reinvention into a new way to serve others.Today, I’m known for helping women reclaim their voice, rewrite their story, and pursue the dreams they once believed were out of reach. My work blends humor, honesty, and hard‑earned wisdom, creating spaces where women feel seen, supported, and empowered. I am currently authoring two books that reflect my life’s mission: transforming lived experience into legacy. Through my writing, speaking, and mentorship, I continue to inspire others — proving that influence isn’t something you chase, but something you grow into and I've built my career on that innate ability to connect and help others through their most difficult moments.
I have lived a life shaped by profound joy and unimaginable heartbreak. I’ve experienced long seasons of parental estrangement from my older daughter, including years when she moved my three grandchildren to undisclosed locations thousands of miles away, often in poverty, and cut off all contact. I’ve walked through addiction with both of my daughters and through my own recovery. I’ve survived divorce, domestic abuse, and the years of raising two children alone while working two jobs. I’ve rebuilt after being laid off from the job I thought I would retire from. These experiences have refined me, but they did not break me — they deepened me, sharpened my compassion, and strengthened the resilience I now bring to every person I support.
I try to live in my heart rather than my head, asking what my heart needs and following that truth with courage. I find joy in creativity and movement — writing and performing comedy, skiing, dancing, long walks, paddleboarding, taking photos, singing karaoke, exploring antique stores, and creating digital art. I teach psychology courses online in the UK, run a successful online store, and stay engaged with the world around me. I cherish time with my younger daughter, with whom I am very close, and I’m grateful for the strong, sober marriage my husband and I have built together — not without growing pains, but grounded in honesty and growth. I cannot say enough about the importance of play in my life, and laughter. I think we forget that flying a kite isn't just something kids do. I'm not done being spontaneous. I went surfing for the first time in my 50s in Hawaii. One of my favorite places to go are petting zoos and my husband will always go with me because he knows it is necessary for me spiritually and for our relationship to play. There's something about petting and feeding baby Llamas that makes my heart smile.
I have been part of many recovery communities and continue to serve through mentorship, connection, and showing up where I’m needed. I hope to volunteer overseas — whether with children, animals, or communities in need — always choosing purpose over despair.
At my core, I believe in transformation. I have rebuilt myself more than once, and each reinvention has deepened my ability to guide others. My life reflects a simple truth: influence isn’t earned through perfection, but through presence, courage, and the willingness to keep showing up. In addition to my education and experience
I am also a legally ordained minister, which allows me to officiate weddings, lead baby‑naming ceremonies, and support families during meaningful life transitions. This provided me with more opportunities to learn about spiritual practices and traditions around the world.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Carrie
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to intuition, lived experience, and a commitment to serving people with integrity. I understand the importance of financial sustainability, responsible resource management, and honoring organizational goals — those things matter to me. At the same time, I’ve never allowed money to dictate the quality of care I provide. When the work was meaningful and aligned with my values, I occasionally offered my expertise without charge — helping a woman build a treatment center, or continuing to support families I had already invested in. Those choices were intentional and mission‑driven, not boundaryless. I’ve always believed that when you lead with purpose, professionalism, and strong ethics, the financial piece follows. I know how to balance mission with resources, and I’ve consistently demonstrated that I can honor both. My success comes from choosing people over shortcuts, integrity over convenience, and long‑term impact over short‑term gain — while still respecting the practical realities of organizational life.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was to never make decisions from an emotional place and not to burn bridges. People can reappear in your life in unexpected ways, and maintaining integrity in every interaction has served me again and again. That advice taught me to stay grounded, respond rather than react, and trust that clarity comes when I’m centered.
I also learned early on that my job is to show up fully, trust my intuition, and let my presence do the work. When I stay aligned with my purpose and act from compassion rather than fear, the right decisions become obvious. That guidance has shaped every chapter of my career and allowed me to lead with steadiness, humility, and respect for the people I serve.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this field is to stay grounded, stay professional, and protect their boundaries. You don’t have to be the one in the spotlight to make an impact. Sometimes your greatest strength is supporting your team and celebrating their success. Carry yourself with integrity, avoid workplace drama, and never burn bridges. Your reputation, your steadiness, and your presence will open more doors than any title ever could.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is the emotional overload people are carrying today. Many individuals are navigating trauma, stress, and instability, yet the systems that are meant to support them often move too slowly or focus more on procedure than people. This creates environments where boundaries blur, burnout rises, and the human element gets lost.
But within that challenge is a tremendous opportunity. There is a growing recognition that emotional intelligence, presence, and relational skills are not “extras” — they are essential. Organizations and communities are beginning to understand the value of leaders who can stay grounded, communicate clearly, and create safe emotional environments.
Another opportunity is the shift toward more holistic, person‑centered approaches. People are hungry for authenticity, compassion, and guidance that honors both their dignity and their complexity. This opens the door for practitioners who can combine intuition, experience, and integrity to support others in meaningful ways.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me in both my personal and professional life begin with compassion for children, families, and the vulnerable — including animals. I believe deeply in treating people with dignity, showing up for them and honoring the relationships that matter most.
I value strong boundaries, emotional steadiness, and the ability to be fully present with others. Whether I’m supporting a team, serving a community, or caring for the people in my life, I lead with respect, purpose, and a commitment to creating environments where others feel safe, seen, valued, and understood.
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