Thais Carter

About Thais Carter

Leadership development strategist and program builder with 15+ years of experience advancing women’s leadership through student-centered education, high-impact programming, and cultural platforms. Proven leader in designing and scaling leadership initiatives that integrate storytelling, experiential learning, and strategic execution across higher education, nonprofit, and organizational settings. Known for translating vision into practice—building inclusive programs, mentoring leaders, and creating environments where individuals and institutions lead from their distinctive gifts.

Experience

1. Director of Strategic Initiatives

   Princeton Theological Seminary

   Jun 2022 — Present · Princeton, NJ, US

   Partner with executive leadership to design and implement mission-aligned initiatives that strengthen institutional culture and expand leadership capacity, with particular attention to inclusive and women-centered leadership development- Design and facilitate leadership development workshops for faculty, staff, and administrators focused on team dynamics, change leadership, communication, and navigating complexity in academic environments- Co-develop and lead a cross-institutional leadership development program with senior leaders, preparing newly promoted and high-potential employees for expanded leadership responsibility, ​​with a focus on advancing women into senior administrative roles- Curate and lead high-impact convenings that bring together faculty, students, peer institutions, and community partners, fostering relational leadership, cross-sector collaboration, and deeper engagement with the Seminary’s core values. Translate complex data and stakeholder feedback from these events into clear priorities and actionable strategies- Lead revitalization of public engagement strategy, introducing KPIs, stakeholder frameworks, and collaborative planning processes to align vision with execution- Serve as an internal strategy consultant, integrating qualitative stakeholder input and quantitative analysis to guide priority-setting, implementation, and change management across departments- Mentor and advise emerging leaders and project teams, supporting professional growth, leadership confidence, and adaptive problem-solving.

Education

• Columbia College Chicago

  Bachelor's Degree, Journalism

  2003 — 2005

• Hollins University

  Certificate in Leadership

• New York University

  Master of Public Administration - MPA, Public Administration and Social Service Professions

  2020 — 2022

• University of Virginia

  Communication and Media Studies

  2001 — 2003

Skills

• Publishing
• Copywriting
• Web Content
• Editorial
• Copy Editing
• Magazines
• Social Media Marketing
• Blogging