We are proud to recognize the leadership of our President and CEO, Carolyn Stanworth, as she prepares to retire at the end of 2026 following a distinguished 27-year career with BL Companies.
Carolyn joined BL in 1999 as Chief Financial Officer and quickly became an integral part of our growth and evolution. She later served as Chief Operating Officer before becoming President and CEO in 2010, guiding our company through the economic challenges of the Great Recession and helping position BL for continued success as a 100% employee-owned company.
“Working alongside each of BL’s employee-owners, with their dedication and passion, has made my experience truly meaningful. We have overcome many challenges and achieved great results — and we did it together.”
– Carolyn Stanworth, President & CEO
Throughout her tenure, Carolyn has helped shape the collaborative culture that defines BL today. Under her leadership, our company expanded its services, grew into new markets, and created meaningful opportunities for the next generation of employee‑owners. She also nurtured the strong relationships with clients and communities that remain central to how we work. Among her lasting contributions, Carolyn spearheaded the development of BL’s leadership development programs, creating a strong foundation for employee‑owner growth and preparing future leaders to carry BL forward.
Looking ahead, we are well positioned for the future. As part of our long-standing commitment to thoughtful succession planning, Derek Kohl, Vice President of Operations, and Julia O’Brien, Vice President of Operations and General Counsel, will step into leadership roles as Co-Presidents following Carolyn’s retirement. Their leadership reflects our continued focus on collaboration, innovation, and delivering value to our clients.
Carolyn will remain connected to BL as an external member of our Board of Directors, providing strategic insight and continuity as we move into our next chapter.
With more than 375 employee-owners serving clients across the country, we remain focused on building strong partnerships and delivering the innovative, multidisciplinary solutions our clients rely on. We thank Carolyn for her extraordinary leadership and look forward to the next chapter for BL Companies.