Technology Strategist -
Guilford Native
Meet Carla
Candidate for Guilford County Commissioner – At-Large
Carla Franklin Richards brings over 19 years of leadership in technology, business strategy, and public-private collaboration. As a candidate for Guilford County Commissioner At-Large, Carla offers a forward-thinking vision rooted in innovation, equity, and real-world impact. She is the founder and president of Carlin Solutions, LLC, a certified minority- and woman-owned firm delivering project management, digital transformation, and strategic planning services to Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and government agencies. Carla has held executive roles at top-tier companies like Amazon and IBM. At Amazon Web Services (AWS), she drove global strategies to scale AI and cloud solutions for businesses of all sizes. At Amazon Worldwide Customer Experience, she supported over 50,000 customer service associates worldwide as a Principal Product Manager. Her work consistently focused on improving systems that serve people—whether through digital tools or service delivery.
A proud graduate of Duke University and Columbia Business School (MBA, Finance & International Business), Carla is known for combining sharp financial insight with strategic execution. Her approach is simple: use data and collaboration to tackle big challenges—whether it’s enhancing public safety, expanding digital access, or empowering youth through education.
In Guilford, Carla serves as Executive Director of Moms of Color for School Choice, a nonpartisan advocacy organization in North Carolina focused on raising awareness and expanding access to school choice options for working class families. Nationally recognized for her advocacy, she’s been featured in Newsweek’s Women in the World, Time.com, Forbes, and NPR for championing equity in tech and fighting cyber harassment. Carla Franklin Richards is ready to bring bold, inclusive leadership to Guilford County Commissioner — focused on progress, opportunity, and a stronger future for all.
Carla Franklin Richards is a proud native of North Carolina, born and raised in Southeast Greensboro.
The daughter of a Greensboro-born father who came of age during the Jim Crow era and a mother originally from the Bahamas, Carla’s upbringing was shaped by resilience, culture, and a deep appreciation for education and community. After her parents divorced during her early childhood, she was raised by her mother, who instilled in her a strong work ethic and commitment to service.
Carla is a product of the Guilford County public school system, attending local schools from kindergarten through high school. She graduated with honors from Southwest Guilford High School and went on to earn her undergraduate degree from Duke University.
Today, Carla lives in Greensboro with her husband and their three sons, continuing her lifelong dedication to family, civic engagement, and entrepreneurship in the city that raised her.