Carolyn (Murphy) Mack enjoyed a 31+ year career with Enterprise Mobility better known as Enterprise Rent A Car, National Car Rental, and Alamo Rent A Car.  Before retirement in 2022, she served as the Group Human Resources Manager of all Boston Group operations for 7 years. Prior to that, she served as Group HR Manager in Indiana for 13 years.  As Group HR Manager, she had oversight over all HR functions for operations in Central and Eastern Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine including Benefits, Legal Compliance, Training & Development, Talent Acquisition, and Diversity and Inclusion.   Carolyn began her Enterprise career in 1990 as a Management Trainee in the Boston area and progressed through the management ranks to become a City Rental Manager in Indianapolis in 1996 prior to moving into HR first as a Talent Acquisition Manager and then as HR Manager.  

A cum laude graduate of Wellesley College, Carolyn is deeply committed to community service. She has served on the United Way Board since 2016, currently chairing the Talent Committee and leading the Tocqueville Society. Carolyn is also a former board member of the Indianapolis Urban League. When she’s not serving on boards, she enjoys spending time between Reading, MA, and her lake home in Meredith, NH, with her husband, Chris. he is the proud mom to daughter, Sara, who is building her own Enterprise career in Colorado.   

I am completing my 9^th year on the UWMB Board of Directors.  I moved back to Boston after a 19-year career stint in Indianapolis.  While in Indy, I became more aware of the incredible scope of United Way’s impact primarily due to my role as Employer Campaign Champion at my company.  This closer insight into the work drove me to invest increasing amounts of time, talent, and treasure into the mission, eventually committing to the Tocqueville Society level in 2012.  I moved back to Boston in 2015.  One of my first actions was to reach to Mike Durkin, the then CEO, to inquire about Board service.  I was invited to join the Board in 2016 and have been honored to serve UW and our community in many leadership capacities over that time.  I am driven by impact and results and no one does it better than United Way.  Whether tirelessly advocating for policy change at the statehouse, selecting a network of partners vetted by our communities to do the front line work with those in need, or meeting the moment of crisis when it arrives - COVID Relief Fund, Migrant Family Relief Fund, answering the call from the Governors’ office to coordinate emergency shelter for recent arrivals – United Way is there and always has been.  I am proud to be connected to this work and, along with United Way, to be contributing to the systemic change I want to see in the world.      

The belief that “Anything is Possible” motivates me to continue to press on even when faced with seemingly unsurmountable challenges.  I have been fortunate to be surrounded by bright, talented people who care about what they do and the organization they work for or support.  Together, we ask each other the tough questions and suggest solutions.  In my experience, the greatest leaders facilitate these conversations and welcome the tension that comes with different opinions knowing that anything IS possible, and the best idea may come from the unlikeliest source. 

This is a question that is bittersweet to answer.  Due to term limits, I will finish my UWMB Board service on June 30^th.  There is so much work still to be done to fulfill the vison of our “New Way Forward”.  Although I will be on the sidelines, I will be an ardent supporter of our Board as it continues to advise and support the staff doing the work of creating a just and equitable region for all of our community members.   

Ask lots of questions!!  The best leaders ask great questions and then shut up and listen.  As the old adage goes, “We have two ears and one mouth and should use them in that proportion”.  People will follow a person that truly sees them and values their opinion.  To improve your own leadership skills, give people an opportunity to be seen and heard.  In doing so, you will gain their respect and will have more and better information to make decisions from – a win-win for sure! 

I retired 3 years ago from a career I enjoyed with a company that I loved.  When I think back on my professional journey, what I remember most are the opportunities that I said “yes” to.  While I probably found myself a bit overcommitted at times (😊), I met so many great people who have become friends and even mentors.  I stretched and grew in immeasurable ways.  I had so much fun along the way.  Say yes early and often and see where the journey takes you!