Book Carla

My Story

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Hi,

Im Carla,

I’m so glad you’re here. For over a decade, I worked in Washington, D.C., serving as a federal employee with the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the U.S. Senate. I also had the privilege of working as a government consultant, focusing on strategic communications, project and program management, and change management. Additionally, I spent 17 years at TIAA, leading in the technology area.

But let me be honest—none of this experience prepared me for the greatest challenge of my life: becoming a mom. This journey revealed a profound truth about myself—I am resilient.

I’ve faced some incredibly tough battles: overcoming infidelity, infertility, and divorce; fostering and losing a miracle baby; and enduring domestic violence at the hands of his birth mom. Yet, here I am—a woman on a mission, stronger than ever.

At the end of 2023, I took a leap of faith and left the corporate world. It was time, and every sign pointed me in this direction. I’m incredibly grateful for the amazing partners and supporters who have kept me booked and busy. Our demand has grown so much that I’ve added contractors to the team to help facilitate workshops. Rest assured, only the most special and dedicated individuals join our team. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Why I do this work?

Parenting and loving a child with extensive adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and experiencing trauma through the process of becoming his mom, opened my eyes to the reality of intergenerational trauma.

I learned how many people live their lives in survival mode. My decade-long journey to motherhood reshaped me. Surviving traumatic experiences and making profound sacrifices humbled me, deepening my appreciation for life and inspiring my advocacy work. This journey gave my life purpose and fueled my passion for child and mental health advocacy.

Through this process, I’ve evolved from living in a state of hyper-vigilance to leading a sustainable life as a woman, a person of substance, and, most importantly, as a caregiver.

Education

I earned a B.A. in Sociology from Indiana University in Bloomington, an M.S. in Human Resources Management from American University in Washington, D.C., and an M.S. in Organizational Development from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.

Additionally, I obtained a Graduate Certificate in Change Management from Johns Hopkins University, as well as professional certifications as a Product Owner by Scrum Alliance and Information Technology Infrastructure Library Foundation.

In 2023, I earned a Graduate Certificate in Women in Entrepreneurship from Cornell University. I was also a Fellow with the American Leadership Forum in the Charlotte, NC region, focusing on servant leadership.

My certifications and relevant training include:

  • Certified Trauma Informed Advocate by the Trauma Informed Institute (2024)
  • Trauma Informed Care Training from NC Youth and Families – NC Voices Amplified, University of North Carolina – Greensboro (UNCG) (2024)
  • Peacekeepers Academy Cohort I, Mecklenburg County Department of Public Health (NC) (2024)
  • Storytelling Workshop, Mental Health America of the Central Carolinas (MHA of CC) (2019)
  • Resource Parent Curriculum (Trauma Informed Training), Department of Social Services (DSS) – Rowan County (NC) (2017)
  • Trauma Informed Care, Project 658, Charlotte, NC (2017)

I am a certified Question Persuade Respond (QPR) Gatekeeper by the QPR Institute and hold a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) certificate from MHFA USA. I also have a Trauma Informed Parent Certificate from the Rowan County Department of Social Services (DSS).

Speaking

I have had the honor of serving as a panelist, keynote, guest and featured speaker, and moderator at numerous in-person and virtual sessions. My talks cover a wide range of topics, including whole body wellness, child advocacy, social and racial justice, youth suicide prevention and resilience.

Here are some of the notable events and organizations where I’ve spoken:

  • In partnership with ReCAST CharMeck, lead multiple workshops for youth, parents, caregivers, and administrators using evidence based tools and techniques as well as lived experience.
  • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Research Roundtable: Participated as a panelist in discussions on lived experience and suicide research and the importance and value of including people with lived experience at the planning stages of new research.
  • Keynote Speaker for the North Carolina Association of Zoning Officials: gave a powerful presentation that included interactive activities to zoning officials across North Carolina in which they learned about mental health conditions, coping strategies, and “you are not alone” is not just a catch phrase.
  • TEDx Charlotte Speaker: Delivered an electrifying talk on intergenerational trauma and youth suicide prevention.
  • Storyteller for Mental Health America of the Central Carolinas: Shared personal narratives to inspire and educate.
  • Speaker for Booz, Allen & Hamilton: spoke both as a panelist and guest speaker on trauma, suicide prevention, and caring for yourself as a caregiver.
  • NAMI Charlotte & NAMI NC: Engaged audiences on mental health advocacy and trauma-informed care.
  • Living Waters, Inc.: Spoke on child advocacy and social justice.
  • Mecklenburg County Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training for law enforcement officers: Provide insight regarding individuals dealing with mental health and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) crises.
  • Women’s National Book Association (WNBA) Charlotte: Discussed the power of non-fiction writing in advocacy.

I have also been invited to speak at various other events hosted by numerous organizations, continually striving to connect with diverse audiences and share my passion for fostering empathy, resilience, and healing in our communities.

If you would like to book me to speak at  your event, contact me to learn more.

Here is a video excerpt of a keynote speech at the Prevent Child Abuse Conference. 

Writing

My next book, My Epic Flow, is coming in the fall of 2024!  Preorder your copy now! Written as the second book in the series focused on youth, young adults, and families, it follows the model of My Big Notebook but is specifically tailored for adolescents and young adults. This interactive workbook contains essential coping strategies and provides a safe space to learn, grow, and build self-esteem.

I wrote The Compassionate Companion to offer supportive guidance for fostering and adoptive caregivers. Filled with insights from experienced caregivers and parents, it is the manual I wish I had during my own journey.

My Big Notebook, co-authored with my son, JC, is an award-winning interactive workbook. It includes real stories, evidence-based coping mechanisms, positive affirmations, resources, and pages for coloring and journaling.

I also contributed to Change, Creativity, Curiosity and Hope in a Crisis Called Pandemic by North Carolina Writers Members of Writing Bookcamp. This work captures the raw, transparent elements of the 2020 world pandemic—uncertainty, fear, prayer, and curiosity—alongside racial unrest and economic upheaval, offering a hopeful perspective.

Journey to the Son details my path to motherhood, including the challenges of loving and losing my foster son, co-parenting for six years, and the ultimate decision to either stay connected with him or let go and risk losing him forever.

Here are some of my other publications and presentations:

  • Voices that matter: Lessons learned from stakeholder engagement and lived expertise in YPIC-SP study. PCORI Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.  Velotta, S.K., Zullo, L., Carlisle, C.A., et al. (October 4-5, 2023).
  • The Compassionate Companion: Supportive Guidance for Fostering and Adoptive Caregivers, Published 2022 by Spark Publications
  • My Journey from Infertility to Fostering to Adoption, July 2022, adoption.com
  • An Open Letter to My Son’s Birth Mother, May 2022, adoption.com
  • Suicide, Trauma, Foster Care, Adoption, February 2022, The Emotionally Naked Blog, annemoss.com
  • My Big Notebook: An Interactive Children’s Notebook, Published 2021 by Spark Publications
  • Journey to the Son: An Unconventional Quest of Mother and Son to Love, Light and Hope, A Nonfiction Memoir, Published in 2021 by Lee Publications
  • From Foster Care to Transracial Adoption, December 10, 2021, adoption.com
  • Why Self-Care is Important to Adoptive Parents, July 03, 2021, adoption.com
  • 9 Things to Consider when Adopting a Child with Special Needs, May 17, 2021, adoption.org
  • What Should Adoptive Parents Know about the Home Study, March 2021, adoption.com
  • My Long Journey to Getting My Son Help, August 24, 2020, nami.org

Thank you for taking the time to learn a bit about me. Your presence here means the world to me, and I’m excited to share this journey with you.

Giving Back

Awards

Community Engagement

The personal stuff:

I am a divorced boy mom and a doggie named Spike. I am a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and enjoy the beach.

My favorite place to travel is the Caribbean. I love to exercise and have fallen in love with Pilates. I find the workouts hard, but invigorating!