As a first-generation college student who became a CEO, Dr. Carolyn J. Stefanco is a woman who has defied the odds in her career and is passionate about helping others to explore new professional heights.

After obtaining a Ph.D. in women's history and serving for two decades as a tenured professor, Carolyn held positions as dean, vice president, and president in both public and private American universities. Her experience ranges from campuses in a large public system to private liberal arts colleges, and includes leadership positions at a polytechnic, a women's college, and an Hispanic Serving Institution. Along with the vast array of roles she has held in U.S. higher education, she is renowned as an expert in women's leadership, in international engagement, and in nonprofit governance, and she sits on U.S. and global boards in several industries, including health care.

Carolyn's work has always incorporated a global perspective, and she continues to provide leadership and thought capital on international issues. She was a Senior Fulbright Scholar to the University of Zagreb in Croatia, served as resident director of a London Study Program, worked as a consultant for Saudi Arabia, and was a trustee and board chair of the American University in Bulgaria. She is currently an associate member of the Centre for Cross-Cultural Management at the University of Wollongong, Australia, and represents the public universities in South Africa in their partnerships in Europe and North America.

In addition to forging global connections, she is active in multiple arenas of women's leadership and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Carolyn has founded and led numerous programs to support women's career advancement, she has recruited accomplished and diverse board members from around the world, and she has raised millions of dollars to launch initiatives to prepare diverse young women for leadership in their professions and communities. A sought-after speaker on women's issues, she publishes regularly in popular and scholarly venues. She recently received a Helen Gurley Brown Genius Award in recognition of her visionary leadership and inspiring and transformative work.

Carolyn began her work as an Executive Coach in 2010, and her clients have held leadership positions in global corporations and in a wide range of higher education institutions. While serving as a confidential partner on their leadership journeys, she asks questions to help clients see challenges and opportunities from new perspectives. Unlike the majority of coaches, Carolyn has experience as a senior leader and CEO, which allows her to share lessons learned from her own experience. She also demonstrates understanding of coaching from the client's point of view, given her 8 years of experience working with her own executive coach. As a scholar, Carolyn shares knowledge of research on leadership, women's advancement, management, and gender and equity issues. Most significantly, she supports clients as they consider new roles and industries, assess their strengths and weaknesses, develop plans to increase their skills and gain experience, and apply and interview for new leadership positions.

After a free 60 minute consultation, clients can choose 6 or 12 month coaching engagements. Sessions are scheduled once a week for 1 hour in duration. Carolyn is also available to review documents, to conduct research, and to meet other specific needs of her executive coaching clients.