Former Thundering Herd track star Cindy Carlisle named one of the most influential women in corporate America.
Did you know that Marshall University alumna Cindy Carlisle ranks right up there with Oprah Winfrey, Serena Williams and Rhianna as one of 2019’s Most Influential Women in Corporate America? That’s what the editors at Savoy Magazine say. The former Thundering Herd track star was recently included in the magazine’s annual list of women of color who display both a winning business presence and exceptional community service.
Carlisle, the vice president of human resources, commercial operations at Roche Diagnostics, the North American headquarters of the world’s largest biotech company, said she was humbled by the award.
“For me, it’s really a reflection of all the wonderful people that have supported me, that shared their experiences and their insights over the years,” she explained. “It’s for the people who pushed me — this really is an award for all of them.”
The list of those people begins with Jennifer Potter, Marshall’s graduate assistant sprint coach for the women’s track team. In 1993, Potter came to Cincinnati, where Carlisle’s family lived, to watch Cindy compete in a high school track meet. Impressed with her performance, Potter invited her to visit Marshall. Although Carlisle had never heard of the university at the time, she made the trip to Huntington. She was so impressed with the friendliness of the people she met that she signed on as a scholarship athlete and became a Daughter of Marshall.
During the next six years, as Carlisle earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting and her master’s degree in adult and continuing education, she made indelible impressions both in the classroom and on the track. Philip Carter, professor of social work, first heard of Carlisle because of her track achievements.
“I first read about her in the newspaper, then she was in one of my classes,” he recalled. “And, she was a superior A student. Additionally, her personality was so gregarious, so inviting and flexible, that it enabled her to establish relationships with individuals of different cultures.”
The admiration is mutual. Carlisle said Carter was one of her favorite professors because he challenged her to think bigger and to never be satisfied with the status quo.
Two other professors stand out in Carlisle’s memory. Of Woodrow Berry, who taught her Business Law, she said, “He taught me to look at situations, to understand the facts and the chronological order of things, to use critical thinking to problem solve, and to understand the implications of my decisions. Today he continues to share articles and books he thinks will expand my thinking.” And Professor Dayal Singh encouraged Carlisle to change her major from marketing to accounting. As such, she credits him with honing the skills she continues to use in both her job and in her life.
The Savoy Magazine recognition isn’t the first time her achievements and leadership have been noted. Prior to joining Roche, she was the senior human resources director at Janssen Pharmaceutical North America, Johnson & Johnson, where she received two Chairman’s Awards for excellence in developing and implementing a diversity strategy.
Even as a college freshman on the Marshall track team, Carlisle was tapped to take a leadership role.
“Most freshmen don’t get the opportunity to be on one of the sprint relays or run an individual event, but I worked hard to be a key contributor,” said Carlisle. “Throughout the season a number of people had injuries and I ended up on the 400-meter and 1600-meter relays. I was also one of the top hurdlers. That year, I was the only female athlete to make it to finals in four events — it taught me a lot about the importance of preparation, teamwork and leadership.”
Carlisle said her freshman year experience on the track team ultimately influenced her to move into the human resources field.
Her many career accomplishments led to her 1999 admission into the Black Legends of Marshall, an honor given to outstanding black athletes who have made significant achievements as athletes and in their chosen fields.
Looking back at her years at Marshall, Carlisle said she holds many fond memories.
“My church friends at Antioch Baptist Church became an extended family,” she noted. “They would pick me up every Sunday from my dorm and take me to church. When I came back to visit Marshall about 10 years after I graduated, the church bus driver recognized me at a football game and remembered picking me up at Holderby Hall. He was genuinely happy to see me come back to visit.”
But the thing that most endears Marshall to Carlisle is the fact that it was there she met her husband, Lee. A Thundering Herd football player under Coach Jim Donnan, Lee and Cindy became college sweethearts. Today the couple have 16-year-old twins, Lee and Elise, and live in Carmel, Indiana, where Lee is a real estate investor.
Throughout her life, Carlisle has never stopped moving. Despite her busy corporate and home life, she is a Six Sigma Master Black Belt and helps coach youth track. And, not surprisingly, she still likes to run. She currently serves on the Jump IN for Healthy Kids Leadership Council for the United Way of Central Indiana and volunteers at the Zion Hope Church food pantry. Keep an eye on her, if you can. She’s got miles to go before she rests.
Carter Taylor Seaton is a freelance writer living in Huntington.
Photos (from second from top):
Savoy Magazine named Carlisle one of 2019’s Most Influential Women in Corporate America.
Carlisle was signed as a scholarship athlete, running track for Marshall in the ’90s.