How she shines: Carolyn Cooke exemplifies the very best of leadership in the commercial cleaning industry. What sets Carolyn apart is her unwavering commitment to understanding the people she serves. Whether she is working with customers, distributors, sales teams, or internal partners, she leads with curiosity, asking thoughtful questions and genuinely seeking to understand challenges before offering solutions. Her customer-first mindset has helped build strong relationships rooted in trust, partnership, and long-term success.
Carolyn is a leader who consistently leads by example. She holds herself to the highest standards and approaches every project, initiative, and customer interaction with excellence. Her professionalism, preparation, and attention to detail inspire those around her to raise their own standards. She never asks others to do something she would not do herself, and her actions consistently reflect the values she promotes.
Beyond her business accomplishments, Carolyn possesses extraordinary people skills. She has a unique ability to connect with individuals at every level of an organization and make them feel valued and heard. She fosters collaboration, encourages diverse perspectives, and creates an environment where people can perform at their best. Her approachable and authentic leadership style has earned the respect of colleagues, customers, and industry partners alike.
One of Carolyn's most impactful qualities is her dedication to mentorship and developing others. She invests time in coaching, providing guidance, and helping team members grow both professionally and personally. She celebrates successes, offers constructive feedback with care, and creates opportunities for others to succeed. Many people, myself included, are stronger leaders and professionals because of her influence and support.
What truly makes Carolyn exceptional is the way she combines business excellence with genuine care for people. She understands that the work we do ultimately impacts the businesses, employees, customers, and communities we serve. Her decisions are guided not only by results but also by the positive difference those results can make for others. She consistently demonstrates integrity, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to helping others succeed.
Carolyn is the embodiment of servant leadership, and her impact extends far beyond her own organization. She is highly deserving of recognition as a Woman of Clean for the leadership, mentorship, and positive influence she brings to our industry every day.
Years in the industry: 20 years
Job responsibilities: As Vice President of U.S. Distribution, Building Service Contractors (BSC), and Education/Government, Carolyn Cooke leads the overall strategy, growth, and success of these business segments. She works closely with customers, distributors, sales teams, and industry partners to drive innovation, strengthen relationships, and ensure the organization delivers meaningful outcomes for the businesses and communities it serves.
Fun fact: People might be surprised to learn that Carolyn is a servant leader.