Carmen Carson

About Carmen Carson

I\'m a builder, a people partner, and a servant leader who truly believes in putting the \"human\" into human resources. I thrive in fast-paced startup environments where I get to create from scratch — end-to-end HR functions, training and development programs including curriculum design, employee engagement initiatives, and full marketing and communications functions including internal and external communications, press releases, website design, and social media. I partner cross-functionally with C-suites, Boards of Directors, legal, IT, and finance to advance organizational goals while managing HR compliance and mitigating risk.Technology has always been a tool in service of people for me — not the other way around. I\'ve championed technology adoption and integration across every organization I\'ve served — ATS, HRIS, Salesforce, Monday.com, Rippling, Paychex, QuickBooks, and more — because the right systems free people to do their best work. I\'m currently focused on AI integration in HR and People operations for the same reason. As a certified Executive Coach (ICF, 300+ hours) and global trainer, I\'ve led leadership development programs across the US, LATAM, and APAC — bringing the same people-first philosophy to every room.From advocating for individuals and underserved populations to empowering leaders to be change makers in their companies and communities, my People leadership has been marked by facilitating change, training that ensures results, and creating scalable systems and processes that catalyze organizational growth. My career has always been rooted in one conviction: when people feel genuinely seen, connected to the mission, and supported in their growth, organizations thrive.The results I\'m most grateful for are the ones that changed people\'s experience at work. That\'s what I\'m here to do.

Experience

1. Chief People & Culture Officer

   Inclusive Prosperity Capital

   Jan 2023 — Present · Knoxville, TN, US

   As CPCO I lead People, Culture, and Communications and act as Chief of Staff to the CEO for a remote clean energy finance and community development organization — partnering directly with the C-suite, Board of Directors, legal, IT, finance, and product to drive organizational performance. Upon joining IPC, I built the People function from the ground up and established the organization\'s full marketing and communications function including employer brand, website, intranet, and internal and external communications.Core areas of ownership: • People Operations — workforce planning, talent acquisition, compensation, benefits, payroll, compliance, employee relations, and performance management • Learning & Development — curriculum design, leadership development, manager coaching, and LMS management • Marketing & Communications — website, intranet, employer brand, internal and external communications, press releases, and social media • Technology Leadership — ATS, HRIS, CRM, and project management platform selection, implementation, and adoption • Change Management — joint ventures, new program launches, and periods of rapid organizational growthResults: • Reduced voluntary turnover from ~40% to 6.25% • Achieved 100% performance-cycle completion company-wide • Cut HR admin 30-40% through HRIS automation and systems design • Scaled headcount 75% while maintaining culture and compliance

Education

• The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, Education

• Tennessee Technological University

  Master of Arts - MA, Instructional Leadership

Skills

• Curriculum Design
• Management
• Management Consulting
• Life Transitions
• Organizational Development
• Business Planning
• Nonprofits
• Entrepreneurship
• Training
• Public Speaking
• Curriculum Development
• Coaching
• Start-Ups
• Higher Education
• Ministry Development
• Leadership
• Academic Advising
• Change Management
• Branding & Identity
• Web Design
• Strategic Planning
• Business Strategy
• Fundraising
• Leadership Development
• Strategy
• Program Management
• Instructional Skills
• Project Management
• Business Development
• Life Coaching