Hi, I’m Cary
I’m a SPACEMAKER — a serial entrepreneur who creates space for leaders, teams, and organizations to thrive.
My journey — so far!
Academic Roots
With a passion for leadership and team dynamics and a Dad who believed a Bachelor’s degree was just the beginning, my career started in the lab of leadership scholar Steve Zaccaro. Landing in DC just 2 weeks before 9/11, the US DoD asked our group of Industrial/Organizational Psychologists at George Mason University to design research-based experiences to help leaders — and teams — adapt to a radically different battlefield.
Although I didn't follow a purely academic career, I've always maintained a faculty appointment. I've taught at George Washington University, the US Naval Academy, and (currently) American University's School of Public Administration, where I get to teach experienced leaders to become great coaches to their people.
Experience Across Sectors
After 3 years of applied research, I launched into a 15-year Federal career, giving me unparalleled experience across agencies and culminating with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to support the Executive leaders at the National Science Foundation (NSF). When I left NSF nearly 10 years later, it was because I wanted to understand leadership across sectors, not just within one.
I founded Creating Open Space to bring the work I was doing at NSF — transforming brilliant scientists into brilliant leaders — to global corporations, Silicon Valley startups, small nonprofits, and leaders across levels. 13 years later, I’m still loving the ride — and still learning!
A Healthy Intolerance for Gaps
In parallel with my “day job”, and after earning my Ph.D. despite a mental health crisis that threatened to derail my career (and life, but that seemed secondary at the time), I founded Rock Recovery. Rock is a mental health nonprofit that bridges gaps people often fall into when they’re struggling, including:
Between isolation and connection
Between what culture normalizes and what’s actually healthy
Between the care people can afford and the care they deserve
Now 18 years in, Rock Recovery is a testament to the combination of great therapy and healing community, and a constant reminder that at any given time, 1 in 6 employees are struggling with their mental health.
Founding Rock Recovery didn’t just deepen my commitment to mental health — it made me more attuned to gaps wherever people are trying to do hard things inside imperfect systems. That lens has guided my work in leadership, coaching, and development, leading to several additional efforts, including:
The Coaching Companion: A multifaceted initiative designed to close the gap between the promise of coaching and the experience of it — through books, programs, and resources that support both coaches and clients.
The ROI Estimator: A breakthrough tool that enables anyone to measure the impact — including the financial ROI — of a Talent Development activity, whether that be coaching, training, mentoring, etc.
From Ad-hoc Speaker to My Signature Keynote
Over the years I’ve given dozens of talks, including curated keynotes on employee engagement and candid communication. I’ve always felt comfortable on stage, but speaking to those topics felt like selling out to what was really on my heart: the urgent need to transform the workplace into a powerful promoter of mental health.
With that as my mission, I’d dedicated the past 2 years to just one signature talk, Break/Through, that compels us to embrace our role in the well-being of our colleagues —because hard conversations heal.
Certifications & Affiliations
“Dr. Larson brings a powerful blend of research expertise and personal insight to the conversation on workplace well-being, inviting us to contribute meaningfully to mental health at work... A compelling reminder that a well-held conversation in a safe environment can drive real impact."
— Shirley Liu, FT300 Corporate Executive"Not only does she just get it right, substantively, but she brings forward this unique ability to critically analyze the mental, emotional, and even spiritual aspect of so many things.”
— JD Spain, Sr., USMC (Ret), Arlington County Board Member“Her insights sparked thoughtful conversations and offered practical takeaways we’re already applying in our day-to-day work. It was refreshing to experience a talk so grounded in real-life experience and applicable strategies. Her presence and message were both powerful and deeply relevant.”
— Amy Jo Marcenaro, EVP & COO, Junior Achievement of Greater Washington
The heart of it:
What keeps me up at night? This quiet truth: most leaders are carrying more than they let on, surrounded by people who are silently overwhelmed, or struggling themselves. Stress, burnout, imposter syndrome, grief, isolation—all of it shows up in the workplace, even if it’s not on the agenda.
As leaders, we often feel pressure to hold it all together. But what if leading well means making room for others to be human?
I’ve led through pain—my own and others’. I’ve seen what happens when teams have space to have difficult conversations. Performance improves and people heal in ways that ripple far beyond the workplace.
A few things that ground me:
Long walks with my husband, son, and our (slightly) off-kilter dogs.
Decision-makers who are brave enough to say, “I’m not okay”—and want to lead anyway.
The messy, beautiful process of healing.
Nature, stillness, and strong coffee.
Thanks for being here. If you’re holding space for others but struggling to hold space for yourself, I see you. And if you’re ready to lead in a way that honors both your impact and your humanity—I’d love to walk alongside you.
Cary’s Nonprofit Work
The concept for Rock Recovery (Rock)—a nonprofit organization dedicated to bridging gaps in eating-disorder treatment—was born in the summer of 2007, when founder Carylynn Kemp Larson faced a fearful relapse. At the time, Carylynn was a working professional, nearly finished with her doctorate.
Following a devastating life change, Carylynn realized that her recovery was not as strong as she’d believed. Terrified of slipping into an all-consuming set of disordered behaviors, she sought out additional support.
To learn more about Carylynn’s story and Rock Recovery:
“This was one of the best time investments around personal development I could have done for myself—personally and professionally!”
— Angela Williams, VP, SRAM Corporation“Carylynn is such a thoughtful and intentional leader, and it is evident as she shares her gifts and experience…”
— Jennifer Eisenreich, Founder, Shift Show Communications“Carylynn doesn’t just inform—she empowers. Audiences leave not only engaged, but equipped with practical tools they can immediately put to use.”
— Michelle Hutchings-Medina, Keynote Speaker, Cancer & Suicide Loss SurvivorEmpower Your Team to Have the Hard Conversations that Heal. Transform Your Culture.
Dr. Carylynn Kemp Larson is a speaker, visionary leader, experienced coach, and mental health advocate who has spent her career helping leaders and teams thrive through change and uncertainty. With a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and thousands of hours of speaking and coaching experience, she doesn’t just inspire—she delivers actionable insights that drive real results.
Inspiring Leaders. Transforming Workplaces. Elevating Well-Being.
Dr. Carylynn Kemp Larson isn’t just an entrepreneur—she’s a catalyst for change. With a powerhouse combination of research, real-world experience, and personal insight, she challenges leaders to rethink workplace well-being and build cultures of resilience and connection. If you're ready for a paradigm shift that sparks action and ignites transformation, Dr. Larson delivers.