Rutgers
Carolyn Ellison is a senior member of the Clark Construction Community Affairs leadership team and focuses on the company’s workforce development, corporate citizenship, and community engagement efforts.
Prior to joining Clark Construction, Carolyn Ellison spearheaded citizenship and community engagement for the Mid-Atlantic Region of Turner Construction and launched the first ever Turner School of Construction Management in Spanish. Additionally, she served as chief communication officer to key clients, political interests and advocacy organizations in the region including the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority Board of Directors and the Washington DC Department of General Services [DC DGS].
Known as a community leader who succeeds at advancing economic growth and social equity, her advocacy efforts have been recognized by a number of local interests including:
- Washington Business Journal: Minority Business Leader Honoree, Corporate Philanthropy Award
- Maryland and Metro Washington Minority Contractors Association: Most Inclusive Prime Construction Leader
- Anacostia Economic Development Corporation: Economic Impact Award
- ACE DC Mentor Program: Impact Award
- Covenant House: Virginia Williams Award
- National Hispanic Construction Association: Vanguard Award
- AGC of DC: Best Sustainable Company Award
- NAF Academy of Engineering: Next Generation Award
With a background as a corporate brander and strategic consultant, her 30-year career has included numerous leadership roles where she has managed notable properties including several Nabisco brands, LVMH & Diageo premium distilled spirit interests, a host of entertainment properties, and Scholastic Book Fairs.
In addition to her corporate work, Carolyn has also served as an adjunct professor at several higher education institutions including Morgan State, Rutgers, Touro and Pace Universities. Prior to moving to the DMV, she worked for the National Urban League and managed the Black Executive Exchange Program (BEEP) mentor program which paired HBCU students with executives from the private, public and government sectors. Her commitment to HBCU students continues as a co-founder of the Black Executive and Student Training program (the B.E.S.T. program).
Carolyn holds a BA in Telecommunications from Michigan State University (MSU) and an MBA from the University of Michigan. She serves on the Boards of the Greater Washington Urban League, Leadership Greater Washington, the Hispanic Contractors Association, the National Association of Minority Contractors, The Prince George’s County Chamber of Commerce, and the Washington Improvisation Theatre.