Carmen Shares Her Journey

I  was born on Long Island, New York and grew up in Danbury, Connecticut.  I graduated with honors from Howard University's School of Business with a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing and I am an alumna of INROADS (an organization founded and devoted to increasing the representation of diverse leaders in corporate America).

 

Straight from school, I started my 20-year career on Wall Street at JPMorgan Chase. My first role was as an analyst in operations and was quickly promoted through the ranks to an Executive Director and Generalist on the Institutional Fixed Income Sales team. As a Generalist, I focused on delivering the full spectrum of Fixed Income products to institutional clients. I thrived in this role, despite having to overcome some adversity as a Black and Hispanic woman in a white and male-dominated sector.  I had the advantage of being at a firm that was supportive and a champion of several initiatives to make the workplace more attractive and inclusive for both women and minorities. 

 

After getting married and having kids, my priorities and career aspirations shifted.  This motivated me to transition from Sales into Human Resources as Head of Campus Recruiting and Pipeline Development for Chase Bank (a subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase). In this capacity, I was responsible for creating the national recruiting, mentoring, and promotion strategies across 6 consumer businesses and design the curriculum for their 2-year rotational programs for the incoming Analysts (Bachelor’s degree) and Associates (MBAs).

 

For as long as I can remember, I have always been an advocate for making the workplace more diverse and unified. While at JPMorgan Chase, I was the Co-Chair of the Investment Bank’s Black Employee Business Resource Group and implemented several key diversity programs for Blacks and Hispanics with measurable success.

​

Today, I have incorporated my 20 years of working in Corporate America with nearly 10 years of consulting to help shape my coaching and diversity training into what will best meet the needs of my clients.     

​

I have a passion for giving back to my community.  I am a an Executive Board Member for United Way of Western Connecticut and a Board member for both the Stamford Police Activities League (P.A.L.) and Sacred Heart Greenwich.  I also sit on the Leadership Council for Habitat for Humanity NYC.

 

In my spare time, I love to travel with my family and play golf with my husband and friends. I am also an avid runner I have completed three marathons and many half marathons.