Get Close Up & Personal
ABOUT ME
Hello and Welcome! My name is Caroline Smith. I am a fourth-generation Floridian residing in Boca Raton, Florida. I attended Saint Mary's College of Notre Dame, where I received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication while minoring in PR & Advertising. I continued my education at the University of Notre Dame and earned my Master’s Degree from the Mendoza College of Business. During undergraduate studies, I made the Dean’s List every semester and was awarded the Intercultural Leadership Award. The scholarship enabled me to study abroad in Scotland, Ireland, France & England for a semester.
While at Notre Dame, I truly immersed myself in the community; I worked as a Notre Dame Football Manager during the 2018-2019 undefeated season, worked as an Event Captain & Wedding Coordinator for VenueND, research assistant for the Leadership Development Program at Mendoza College of Business, and Head Cheerleading Coach for Saint Mary's College. I am currently employed by Gartner Incorporated, a leading research & consulting firm, where my main focus is the financial sector. Gifted with a "Business mind and a servant's heart," I am very involved in my hometown community as a member of the Junior League of Boca Raton, board member for the Notre Dame Club of Boca Raton, and a Girls on the Run Coach for Palm Beach County. I proudly represent my county in the Miss America Organization as Miss Palm Beach County 2023.
Staying active is of critical importance to me; I have completed several half marathons and plan to run a marathon in November.
My passion for helping others achieve mental and physical wellness prompted me to create my community services initiative, "Why Walk - When You Can Run." This initiative is focused on helping women get physically healthy and emotionally stable through everyday integration of physical activity. I am involved in several national organizations, including, The National Alliance for Mental Health Illnesses, To Write Love on Her Arm, and a mentor for Girls on The Run. Furthermore, I serve as the Palm Beach Ambassador for Kendra Scott Jewelry which donates proceeds to National Alliance on Mental Health Illnesses.
Community Services Initiatives :Why Walk - When You Can Run: Mental Health Awareness & Treatment
According to the National Alliance on Mental Health Illnesses (NAMI), in 2020, "26% of Americans, 52.9 million people, suffered from a mental illness." The lack of interaction and communication with others, whether in school, work, or everyday life, caused us to feel isolated, depressed, and anxious. In direct connection, the second leading cause of death for ages 11-24 is suicide, which continues to increase yearly. Learning how to live with high-functioning anxiety has enabled me to prioritize what is essential in my life. I have discovered that regular exercise positively affects depression and anxiety while increasing energy, stamina, and overall well-being. Being physically active allows you to feel in control and build stronger resilience. I am committed to helping others learn how to prioritize their mental health and wellness, so I created "Why Walk - When You Can Run," an initiative dedicated to helping young women feel physically healthy and emotionally adept.
