With over 35 years of executive experience in the non-profit industry, Carolyn is nationally regarded for her expertise in philanthropy, non-profit management, strategic planning, and advocacy. Carolyn became the first Executive Director of Advanced Center for Eyecare Global in May 2022.

To support the mission of developing locally sustainable and self-sufficient eye care centers in underserved areas of the world, Carolyn will amplify philanthropic support and will assist ACE Global’s strong board of directors to steward the collective purpose of curing preventable blindness in low- and middle-income countries throughout the world by training, teaching, and equipping ophthalmologists in their own countries.

Before joining ACE Global, Carolyn was the CEO of a private foundation dedicated to equity, inclusion, collaboration, and systems transformation. During COVID, she was instrumental in mentoring other not-for-profits in the value of emergency assistance funding and being able to recognize and respond to the evolving societal and health challenges during the pandemic.

Previously, Carolyn has been the Director of Development, Director of Planned Giving, and the President and CEO of multiple Florida non-profits and her own strategic planning and development consulting company.  She holds a Master’s in Public Administration from American University in Washington, DC.

In her spare time, she is a national advocate, speaker, survivor, writer, and warrior for breast cancer patients and organizations.  She has been a peer supporter and advisor for over 500 women and their families for the past 15 years.  In 2018, she received the Pink Angels award for the Pink Angels organization she helped to create in 2006.

Carolyn and her husband Steve Newman, OD, live in Plantation, Florida, and spend their free time hiking, shooting pool, and supporting local organizations and hospitals.

“I’m excited to be a part of the ACE Global team and to help build on its unique global surgical outreach, physician education, and sustainable infrastructure-building. Through its network of dedicated surgeons who volunteer to train and educate ACE Global Fellows in LMICs like Honduras, ACE global is positioned to improve the lives of underserved patients and help cure preventable blindness.”