When Carrie J. Clark was put in as Worldwide Regional Director of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Included® on the seventieth Boule in Orlando in July 2022, she introduced together with her 35 years of sorority service and a imaginative and prescient that transcends borders. From her initiation into Xi Chapter at Jap Michigan College in 1987 to her present position overseeing 19 chapters throughout 12 international locations and eight time zones, Clark has mastered the artwork of constructing unity throughout huge distances.
Her journey by way of AKA management reads like a masterclass in service: chapter president, vp, historian, and parliamentarian at Lambda Pi Omega Chapter in Detroit; Nice Lakes Regional Director from 2018-2022 in the course of the difficult COVID years; and committee management spanning from native Centennial celebrations to worldwide ethics and variety initiatives.
As a Silver Star Life Member, she’s channeled that very same dedication into her skilled life as System Director of IT Operations at Henry Ford Well being, the place she oversees 4 departments together with a Venture Administration Workplace with over 50 mission managers.
Clark’s twin experience in management and expertise — backed by certifications as PMP, SCRUM Grasp, and ITIL — has confirmed invaluable as she navigates the complexities of main what she calls “the smallest however most advanced area” within the sorority. Whether or not she’s implementing IT governance programs that enhance affected person care, educating as an adjunct professor since 1995, or creating revolutionary packages to unite 500 girls throughout continents, Clark approaches every problem together with her signature mix of strategic pondering and servant management.
Her quite a few accolades, together with the Profession Mastered Nationwide Ladies’s Historical past Management in Motion Award and Michigan Chronicle Girl of Excellence, replicate a profession devoted to opening doorways for others whereas constructing lasting establishments.
What, out of your perspective, do you are feeling is your superpower?
Effectively, let me say this. I feel I’ve lots of superpowers. I feel all of us do. Whenever you get to a sure level in your life and in your profession, you begin to actually hone in on the abilities and the attributes that make you who you might be. And so for me, I take into consideration, after all, innovation. A number of issues that I’ve performed within the sorority in addition to in my occupation has at all times been about, “How do you innovate? How do you create? How do you design? How do you execute with precision?” Innovation and creativity is really considered one of my superpowers.
I feel, additionally, being able to have the ability to relate to staff members, chapter members, church members and with the ability to work with them in several areas to realize the final word objective is one other superpower, as a result of not everyone is ready to relate and to have the ability to execute in an area the place you’re working with extremely educated folks, or in some circumstances you’re simply working with on a regular basis those who’s simply attempting to get the job performed.
However my different space of superpowers that I feel is essential is at all times to steer with objective and to steer with grace. Whenever you lead with objective as considered one of your superpowers, and perhaps one of many major elements of what you provide as a frontrunner, I feel you at all times be sure you’re doing it with good intentions.
When you consider superpowers, you need to be sure you’re utilizing your powers for good. And also you need to be sure you’re leaving an imprint and an influence on people that will take these superpowers and say, “These are the issues that I need to incorporate into my way of life as a frontrunner.”
I can go down an inventory of superpowers. However I feel innovation, creativity, being able to collaborate with folks, however most significantly main with objective and with grace. These are the issues that I really feel which might be my superpowers.
What does it imply to steer members throughout the globe, together with the newly chartered chapter in London? How do you construct unity throughout distance?
That could be a powerful query, as a result of proper now I’m answerable for a complete of 19 chapters. Now that we have now Alpha Delta Alpha Omega chapter. However we’re in 12 international locations, eight time zones. I stay in Michigan, the place we’re on Jap Normal time zone.
Whenever you discuss constructing unity, one of many issues that I attempt to do and serve on this capability, which is an honor and is a profound accountability to do, is initially perceive the individuality inside every nation, perceive the cultural variations, perceive the totally different beliefs, however ensuring that I don’t compromise Alpha Kappa Alpha traditions and sisterhood and repair, as a result of on the finish of the day, regardless of the place we stay, regardless of the place we reside, we’re nonetheless one sisterhood, one sorority.
Once I take into consideration unity is, arising as soon as once more, I’m going to make use of this phrase once more, with inventive and revolutionary ideas that also brings the area collectively, no matter dwelling within the UK or Asia, or Africa, or Canada, is speaking about, “How do I carry over 500 girls collectively to do the work of Alpha Kappa Alpha?” I’m honored to serve on this capability.
It’s most likely been one of many largest roles, regardless that throughout the sorority it’s the smallest area, however it’s actually probably the most advanced area within the sisterhood. I attempt to inform folks on a regular basis, “Don’t underestimate the worldwide area based mostly on dimension,” as a result of we have now good girls serving within the worldwide area.
We’re doing nice work to fulfill our worldwide President and CEO Danette Anthony-Reid, her mission in executing packages that not solely accommodate the ladies, the households within the US, however how can we transcend these alternatives globally? And so once I take into consideration unity, it’s actually about listening and understanding and rolling up your sleeves to say, “Okay, what’s it that you simply’re doing in South Africa? All proper. And what’s it that you simply’re doing in Dubai?” and ensuring that we’re actually fulfilling the mission of our founders and the imaginative and prescient of our founders.
What has sustained your dedication to the sisterhood for almost 4 many years?
My dedication to the sorority relies on a number of elements. To start with, let me simply begin right here with my love for the sorority. My love for the group is unquestionable, as a result of I’ve been dedicated to Alpha Kappa Alpha for 37 years, and so anytime that you’re dedicated to something for 37 years, it’s since you adore it. It’s my ardour. It’s what I do this I get pleasure and achievement from.
The opposite areas which have sustained me and being dedicated is as a result of, initially, I consider in our mission. Our mission is about service. It’s about sisterhood, it’s about scholarships, it’s about giving again to the communities. And that’s what we have now been doing, and that’s the way forward for the place the sorority goes to proceed to go in future administrations. Once I take into consideration why I’m nonetheless dedicated, it’s as a result of I adore it.
It’s as a result of I consider within the mission. And it’s as a result of I’ve constructed nice relationships through the years which might be not only a sisterhood relationship. These are relationships which might be lifelong relationships.
I’m dedicated. My husband, my household, they know the place I stand with Alpha Kappa Alpha. They know that my coronary heart is in it, and it’s in it for the correct causes. When you consider being dedicated to one thing that’s larger than you, and also you’re speaking about investing in one thing that’s larger than you, you do it as a result of it’s the proper factor to do. And it’s the proper factor to do this’s going to make a worldwide influence on the earth. You at all times need to be one thing that’s larger than you. For me, it’s being a part of the group.
What’s your method or management philosophy in relation to totally different organizations?
Effectively, let me say this. In something that I do, I at all times stroll into it with the mindset of, “How do I make it higher? How do I open up doorways for these which might be coming behind me? How do I go away a legacy that will likely be memorable, based mostly on the work that was performed?” Something that I do, whether or not it’s in my skilled life, my religious life, my sorority life, or another civic group that I could also be concerned with, I give it my finest. Once I give it my finest, I work with the spirit of collaboration. I work with the spirit of excellence.
I work with the spirit of creating certain that after we are performed, the work that we have now put in will likely be a long-lasting reminiscence of excellence. I feel as a result of I do give my all. In case you put 100% on the desk, I’m going to place 200% on the desk. And since that’s how I’m wired in something and every little thing I’ve performed since day one for me, it has formed me as a result of it has branded me.
Once I’m concerned together with different staff members or committee members or people which might be concerned with that very same mission, the end result goes to at all times be giving it 200% and ensuring that no matter we do goes to be a long-lasting influence, not solely to the neighborhood, however for the group that we’re serving.
The way in which that it’s formed and has developed me has grown me. It has actually contributed to the management qualities that I possess right this moment as a frontrunner, regardless of the place I serve. Serving as a programs director for Henry Ford, or serving as a world regional director. I’m the individual I’m due to the dedication and the work that I put in, and due to the flexibility to pay attention and be taught and develop.
Each time I stroll away from an effort, an initiative, a mission, it doesn’t matter what it’s, I’m a greater individual, as a result of I’ve realized one thing from others that I’ve partnered with. Now we have challenged the norm, and ensuring that we’re pondering exterior the containers to ship one thing that will likely be worthwhile for these which might be attending, whether or not it’s the neighborhood or the group, whether or not it’s a convention, whether or not it’s a mission, whether or not it’s a coaching session.
For me, I’m who I’m due to the event that has been poured into me by the use of these efforts. I don’t suppose you’re ever too previous or too seasoned to develop and be taught. What I do is I stroll away and say, “Okay, what do I hold from that have? And what do I tweak and alter from that have?” That’s how I proceed to enhance who I’m as a frontrunner.
Are you able to describe extra about your work at Henry Ford Well being and the scope of your management?
I might like to. To start with, I’ve been in IT for over 30 years, popping out of undergrad. I’m not going to say the 12 months, however within the eighties. Let me simply begin there. However I’ve been in management, most likely the vast majority of my tenure and dealing at numerous corporations. And one of many issues that I’ve perfected and have turn into a part of my experience in main and managing inside IT is throughout course of re-engineering.
It’s throughout governance, operations, efficiencies. Proper now, I’m assistant director. I’ve been with Henry Ford for 12 years. I like Henry Ford. It’s a famend system throughout the Michigan space, doing nice issues not solely to enhance affected person high quality, but additionally the neighborhood that we serve, and that we stay in throughout the Michigan space. I’m answerable for 4 groups, and people 4 groups are all underneath the umbrella of operations, governance. My ardour and my experience, and the place I actually thrive is inside mission administration.
Inside mission administration, I’ve a plethora of mission managers from constructions to IT, to functions to safety, and so my staff is definitely over forty to fifty PMs that’s reporting to me, serving in several roles and capacities. That’s my ardour, nonetheless, however I’m answerable for different areas inside IT.
The primary thrust that I’m answerable for doing is ensuring that any packages, any initiatives, are strategically aligned to the well being system overarching objectives and technique, but additionally ensuring that no matter we do, we’re implementing packages and initiatives which might be going to enhance high quality, affected person care.
As a result of lots of instances when you consider well being care, you consider the medical aspect. However you don’t take into consideration the IT aspect of. Whenever you go into your native well being facility, take into consideration the development, take into consideration the expertise, take into consideration the instruments. These are the issues that I’m impacting by the use of initiatives and packages. For me, I take pleasure in working for a well being system as a result of it’s a caring, nurturing atmosphere.
It correlates with my spirit as a frontrunner to at all times need to give again throughout the neighborhood, but additionally assist these which might be in want. Once I take into consideration what I’ve contributed, Henry Ford, I’ve constructed a PMO workplace, mainly from floor up. We’ve applied processes and we have now re-engineered processes which have built-in with different groups throughout the IT division. We’re making a distinction at Henry Ford within the IT space, and I’m glad to be part of that working inside that respective space.
You might be additionally an adjunct professor. Are you able to discuss that work and the way it pertains to your management?
Let me say this. I like educating, I adore it. Once I was an undergrad, I contemplated going into educating, however at the moment a sensible lady, who was my grandmother at the moment, stated, “No, go into one thing else, discover one thing else, problem your self in one other space.” And so therefore I made a decision to enter IT, and so for me to proceed to get that satisfaction and that achievement of giving again and investing in others, and educating and pouring into others, I made a decision to turn into an adjunct school.
I train right here in Michigan, at native universities, and I train within the areas of mission administration, high quality administration, and IT. For me to stroll right into a classroom and simply give of your self unconditionally to assist those who have a want to be taught that perhaps at some point that you’ve poured into, and you may see them go on to larger and higher issues. It’s most likely some of the satisfying rewards that anybody can ever, ever expertise.
I’ve been educating since 1995, and also you get to community another way. I nonetheless have relationships with people that I taught years in the past, as a result of they’re nonetheless reaching out to say, “What about this? How do you do that? What are your ideas on this?” I’m nonetheless in a position to assist contribute to their futures. Educating is extraordinarily rewarding since you’re giving of your self in ways in which you by no means might think about.
Additionally, you’re seeing the return on it. Whenever you see these people, they graduate of their professions, of their self-discipline, after which they go on to turn into mission managers, IT gurus, you’ll be able to sit again and say, “I had slightly half to do with that.” Not claiming the success, however feeding into the success. I proceed to show to this very day, as a result of I take pleasure in it a lot. It’s an space that I can simply stroll in and simply let down all of the guards, and simply be myself, and provides it again to people who have a want to need to be taught and to raised themselves. I take pleasure in it earnestly.
Who has poured into you and the way has that knowledgeable the best way that you simply lead?
I’ve been so lucky to have so many ladies in my life! Aunties, grandmothers, after all my mom, cousins, mentors within the church atmosphere, the sorority atmosphere, within the work atmosphere, that I’m slightly little bit of all of them, and I signify all of them. Once I take into consideration the ladies which have been impactful in my life, they proceed to encourage me nonetheless to at the present time, whether or not they’re bodily right here or spiritually right here.
I look again at them, pouring into me with knowledge and with nice recommendation. I look again, and I take into consideration the recommendation they’ve given me on easy methods to proceed to steer.
Once I speak to them, they pour into me and say, “Hey, you recognize what? You probably did an awesome job on this,” however then additionally they pour into me and say, “Hey,” they provide me constructive suggestions, and that’s the suggestions you be taught from probably the most, from my perspective. It’s not the issues that you simply do properly, since you’ll proceed to do these issues. It’s the issues that somebody who loves you unconditionally, and that they’ve your finest pursuits at coronary heart, goes to develop you and pour into you and say, “Now, you could possibly have dealt with that slightly otherwise, or take into consideration this the subsequent time.”
I’ve been actually blessed to have so many optimistic girls in my life that loves me unconditionally, that need the perfect for me, that once I take into consideration my future and my aspirations, these are girls which might be behind me and on the aspect of me, saying, “You are able to do it,” as a result of generally you begin to say, “All proper, I’ve the religion. I consider I’ve the abilities. I’ve the {qualifications},” whether or not it’s in your work life, your skilled life.
However on the identical time you want these girls who you actually respect, who you love, to say, “No, no, you are able to do this. Carry on doing. Carry on shifting, and hold pursuing your desires as a result of you’ve gotten what it takes to do it.” I take into consideration lots of girls, and if I used to be to offer you an inventory, we’ll be right here all day with me naming girls. However I’ve been very blessed in that space to have girls to like me unconditionally, as I stated.
How do you keep grounded and motivated as you obtain extra recognition?
My religion retains me grounded, my household retains me grounded, however my religion does since you at all times need to serve with humility. You need to serve. You need to be a humble servant on the finish of the day. You need to entice to folks that may see one thing in you that claims, “I need to mimic what she’s doing, or I need to do issues like her.” I feel once you permit conceitedness to return into play, I feel it distracts from the mission, and so for me, it’s essential to at all times keep humble.
It’s essential to at all times keep relatable, approachable. It’s essential to make it possible for I’m main by instance. Once I see issues that I don’t like in a frontrunner, conceitedness, or the flexibility to not be relatable to the on a regular basis lady or individual, I at all times say to myself, “That isn’t the chief I’m going to turn into or proceed to develop into,” as a result of on the finish of the day, individuals are on the lookout for leaders that not solely can execute, make a distinction, be impactful, however may also lead the cost with you in thoughts.
And for those who’re pondering of your self and the seat, you’re not going to ever have the ability to lead with the folks in thoughts. For me, it’s not about, regardless that I’m very grateful for the accolades. I’m very humbled for the popularity, as a result of it does really feel good to be acknowledged for the nice work you’re doing.
However on the finish of the day, it’s not about that. It’s about serving, it’s about giving again and, as I stated earlier than, it’s about opening up the door, so others can come by way of, as a result of your legacy is one thing that ought to be part of that recognition that individuals can respect, and so to get revered, you must give respect. My objective is to at all times be that humble and servant chief, as a result of I feel, once you exhibit these qualities, different blessings come your method.
What recommendation would you give to girls attempting to stability profession, neighborhood work, and household?
Oh, my gosh! Effectively, let me say this primary. I’m nonetheless studying. I’m nonetheless studying easy methods to stability, as a result of there’s no excellent method. I feel on the finish of the day, as a result of we’re enjoying so many roles in life. Work life, mom life, group life, neighborhood life, no matter it might be. However I assure you’re enjoying a couple of position in life. On the finish of the day, I feel the recommendation that I’ll give is that you must give your self grace, and you must take time for your self, and that’s not being egocentric.
It’s simply permitting you to recharge, re-energize, and you recognize what? It’s important to permit your self to say no, generally. Saying no, as they are saying, is an entire sentence, and so I don’t suppose there’s ever the right stability. I feel you must determine generally, day-to-day, hour by hour, what’s essential to you at the moment, so you’ll be able to focus and stay within the second to offer it your all.
Whenever you’re performed with that, then you definately pivot and he’s “Okay. I’m performed with AKA. I’m going to pivot now, to Jack and Jill. I’m going to pivot to the Hyperlinks. I’m going to pivot to my church,” no matter it’s that it’s good to pivot to. Generally it’s good to half mentalize, so that you may be within the second to serve together with your all. But when I had the key recipe to work-life stability, I might be wealthy. I wouldn’t even be speaking to you proper now, pay attention. I might be wealthy proper now, as a result of everyone is attempting to determine easy methods to stability.
However on the finish of the day, I say, you must give your self grace. It’s important to say and have the ability to say no, generally, when it’s wanted, you must give your self the flexibility to simply step away from all of it. And, as I said earlier than, to re-energize and recharge, and for me it’s about spending high quality time with my household. If I can get my household out for dinner. That brings me a lot pleasure, as a result of on the finish of the day you must give attention to what’s essential to you, and you must prioritize what’s essential in your life.
The key recommendation is simply dwelling day-to-day and give attention to what’s essential at the moment, and organizing as you proceed all through your journey, how to make sure you’re specializing in issues that doesn’t eat you, however lets you breathe. If that is sensible.
What are another ways in which you recharge and care for your self?
Some days I simply unplug, I pause, and a few days I would like to wish. You simply must meditate. Meditation is nice for the soul. And a few days I simply binge, you recognize, binge out on the sofa and simply watch TV and get caught up on some season of one thing simply to distract my thoughts from all of it. As a result of, regardless that you’re multitasking on the finish of the day, you’re by no means disconnected. You gotta discover these issues that may disconnect you. And if that’s vacationing, if that’s procuring, if that’s watching TV, if that’s studying a e-book. For me, it’s procuring, is watching episodes, is spending time with my household.
These are the issues that enables me to disconnect. And one of many issues that I’ve integrated into my life, as a result of I’m getting calls and textual content messages all day. I’m in conferences all day for work, after which all evening for different organizations. If I’m getting textual content messages, I management that narrative, I’ll “Hey, let me name you again tomorrow” as a result of I do know on the finish of the day, if I return each name, if I’m on each assembly, each Zoom, in each dialog, it could actually suck up 24 hours of my time, and so I’ve to regulate the narrative.
I’ve to regulate how I’m spending my time. So, I’m extra intentional now on how my time is being spent. As a result of there’s solely considered one of me, and it’s 50 different issues that I’m attempting to perform. And I need to give it my all, and I don’t need my monitor report in, in assembly expectations or exceeding expectations to be flawed as a result of I’m lacking the boat, or I’m now disconnected as a result of I’m attempting to do 5 issues at one time. I’m very intentional.
I feel by having mission administration abilities and dealing in that trade for thus lengthy, it has helped me prioritize what I work on and the way I ought to manage my life every day.
What would you like your management to be remembered for many?
As I’ve gotten older, that dialog round legacy has turn into extra prevalent, proper? Since you suppose again like, “Okay, what do I need to be remembered for? What’s the influence I need to go away on this world? What’s the impression I need to go away on this world?”
And so that could be a dialog I’ve been having extra often currently, as a result of I get older. And I’m serious about the seriousness of all this time and vitality that I’m placing into all these various things. Is it price it? Is it going to be one thing that others will have the ability to profit from? Once I take into consideration my legacy, and naturally, I led at a time within the sorority once I served because the twenty ninth Nice Lakes Regional Director in COVID.
All throughout that point I used to be serious about what’s the legacy going to be when members analysis again, fifty years from now, and so they look again throughout COVID. And so they discuss, “How did the group survive? And the way did we thrive? And what did we do?” For me, my philosophy was, I need to make it possible for I’m leaving an inventory of issues for folks to return and say, “Effectively, you recognize that chief, Carrie J. Clark. She did all of these items. She galvanized, she motivated, she applied revolutionary ideas to maintain her area on one accord,” and that was essential to me, as a result of I stored serious about the longer term.
And what would it not play again when members return and do analysis and say, “What did we do at the moment?” Once I give it some thought right this moment? And I might sum it up in just a few hopefully, some few phrases. I take into consideration. I need to go away a legacy of excellence. I need to go away a legacy the place folks say she was a visionary. I need them to speak about my character, that I used to be a pleasant, sisterly kind, chief, approachable chief, and that something and every little thing that I did and executed. I did it with the members in thoughts.
I did it with my job and my groups at work in thoughts. What’s going to be essential to me will not be a lot all what I did, however how I made folks really feel. As a result of folks will overlook what you probably did, however they gained’t overlook the way you made them really feel. For me, you’ve gotten the artwork and the science in life. The science is these. That is the method and procedures. That is the execution of what you’re doing, however the artwork is the character is the intentional aspect. It’s the center. It’s the stuff you can’t purchase.
When members look again, when my staff members at my job look again, I need them to say that I used to be a frontrunner for all, and that I represented equity. I’m massive on the artwork as a result of I can do the science. The science is on daily basis all day what we do, however the way you made folks really feel. Did you open up the doorways? Did you attain again? Did you assist others? That’s what I need my legacy to be remembered for. I needed to talk volumes about me as an individual, as a person, and I need it to be a legacy that individuals aspire to emulate.
So, once I take into consideration the legacy is essential to make it possible for on the finish of the day that’s one thing that people will respect and can regard, and can discuss for generations to return.
Video interview with jessica CARE moore coming quickly. Test again shortly to look at this unique dialog.