Carolyn Lawrence

Carolyn Lawrence is an award-winning expert in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) with over two decades of experience driving systemic change across industries. As the Founder and Principal of CLEAR PATH, a social equity consultancy, she partners with organizations to integrate equity and social impact into their core business strategies, fostering self-sustaining growth and innovation.

Previously, Carolyn led Deloitte’s Canadian Diversity & Inclusion Human Capital practice, where she helped organizations embed strategic DEI principles directly into operations. Her work went far beyond traditional programs and tactics, focusing instead on tying inclusion efforts directly to business outcomes. Carolyn is a sought-after advisor and keynote speaker for executive teams, offering deep expertise on inclusive leadership, diversity of thought, unconscious bias, and the advancement of women in leadership.

Carolyn’s journey in equity-driven leadership began at Women of Influence, where she joined in 2005 as Event Director and quickly rose to serve as President in 2007. She brought with her deep experience in strategic development, marketing, communications, and large-scale event management within the financial services sector. Prior to that, she held leadership roles at TD Waterhouse, where she managed AGMs, crafted client-facing presentations, developed marketing materials, and produced 25 high-profile Economic Outlook events annually. Her corporate training, combined with her passion for gender equity, positioned her as a powerful force within this influential Canadian firm.

Since 1994, Women of Influence has produced a nationwide Luncheon Series profiling the most accomplished women who share their success story to inspire and connect likeminded professionals. The program consists of 20 events, in 8 Canadian cities, inspiring over 7500 attendees each year. This flagship series is well established in the business community having profiled over 300 of the highest-powered and most recognized Canada including Amanda Lang; Senior Business Correspondent, CBC News Host, Sarah Richardson; Designer, Host, Entrepreneur, and Kim Campbell; former Prime Minister of Canada. Women of Influence programs are sponsored by leading organizations with objectives to reach influential and affluent women as employees and consumers including Deloitte, BMO Nesbitt Burns, Jones New York, RBC Royal Bank, Scotia Bank, Shoppers Drug Mart, TD Bank Group, Thomson Reuters and Chubb Insurance. Since 2004 the firm has proudly grown to include the Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards, Young Women of Influence Evening Series, Senior Executive Dinner Series (North American initiative), Future Women of Influence fundraising Auction, Women of Influence Advancement Centre, Gender Intelligence Consulting and the Women of Influence Quarterly Magazine.  

Carolyn holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts, from the University of Western Ontario and a Certificate of Achievement from Queen’s Finance Program. Outside of the office Carolyn holds volunteer based leadership roles with the AGO and Women’s College Hospital and is on the Executive Committee of the International Women’s Forum. She has completed Ironman USA and has competed in the Triathlon World Championships for Team Canada.