Meet Carey McClure

We had the good fortune of connecting with Carey McClure and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carey, what’s the end goal, career-wise?
My ultimate goal is to leave a lasting legacy—for my children, grandchildren, and the communities I’ve had the honor to serve. I want my life’s work to stand as a testament to what it means to lead with purpose, compassion, and service.

Throughout my career, I’ve raised millions of dollars for over 25 nonprofit organizations and worked directly with both students and the elderly, ensuring that vulnerable populations have access to critical support services. But the work I’m most passionate about is embodied in my nonprofit, Collegiate Crossings.

Collegiate Crossings exists to empower low-income, first-generation, and foster youth to access, navigate, and succeed in post-secondary education. Through personalized coaching, college and career planning, financial aid guidance, and scholarship support, we help students overcome barriers and achieve their dreams—impacting not just individual lives, but entire generations.

As I look toward the end of my career, I want Collegiate Crossings to continue to thrive and expand its impact long after I step away from daily operations. I envision:

Establishing a permanent endowment fund to ensure long-term sustainability and allow us to serve more students without interruption.

Launching a statewide training institute that equips educators, social workers, and mentors to replicate our model in their own communities.

Developing a digital platform to reach rural and underserved areas with our planning tools, mentorship, and scholarship resources.

Mentoring the next generation of nonprofit leaders, particularly those with lived experience in the populations we serve.

Expanding a named scholarship program for my daughter Whitney Lee honoring the spirit of service that has guided my work.

My hope is that the systems we’ve built, the lives we’ve touched, and the values we’ve upheld will carry forward—creating a ripple effect of opportunity, equity, and empowerment for years to come. That will be my legacy.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets me apart is a lifelong commitment to service and a deep-rooted belief that every student—regardless of their background—deserves the tools, guidance, and support to access higher education and thrive. I am most proud of being the co-founder of Collegiate Crossings, a nonprofit that has served over 1,500 students since 2012. Through personalized coaching, planning, and advocacy, those students have been awarded more than $36 million in scholarships, changing not just their lives, but the lives of their families and communities.

My journey wasn’t easy. I got where I am because others opened doors for me. I’ll be forever grateful to Guy Mikkelson and Linda Martin, who believed in me early in my career. They gave me opportunities to lead before I believed I was ready and taught me the value of faith-driven, people-centered leadership.

Along the way, I’ve faced significant challenges:

I didn’t know how to write grants at first. I had to learn by doing—reading proposals, asking questions, and getting comfortable with rejection until I got better. Now, I’ve helped secure major funding to sustain and grow our programs.

Event planning and fundraising didn’t come naturally. I had to build skills quickly, leaning on mentors, surrounding myself with people who had strengths I lacked, and trusting that passion and purpose would draw in support even before we had polish.

Balancing service delivery with operations has always been a challenge. As the organization grew, I realized I couldn’t do it all myself. Delegating, building a mission-driven team, and creating systems helped us scale without sacrificing quality or care.

Emotionally, it’s hard to serve people who are hurting. I’ve worked with students who were homeless, aging out of foster care, or had no one in their corner. There were moments I felt drained or discouraged. But I’ve learned to lean on my faith, take rest seriously, and trust that showing up—consistently and compassionately—makes the difference.

Sustainability is a constant pressure. I had to accept that vision alone doesn’t fund programs. That meant learning how to cast vision to donors, apply for competitive grants, and make a compelling case for why our work matters—every single day.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that anything is possible with God. When I’ve hit walls, I’ve prayed for doors. When resources were scarce, generosity showed up in unexpected ways. And through it all, I’ve come to believe that resilience, faith, and community are more powerful than any challenge.

I want the world to know that Collegiate Crossings is not just a nonprofit—it’s a legacy. It’s a promise that someone will walk beside you when the system doesn’t. And I’m proud to have built something that will continue changing lives for generations to come.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting the area, the perfect week would be a mix of great food, meaningful conversations, and a whole lot of quality time—because as funny as it sounds, anyone who knows me knows that three things are most important to me: faith, relationships, and Starbucks.

We’d spend most of our time simply hanging out over tea or coffee, either at my house or at Starbucks, just talking about life, dreams, and memories. For me, those heart-to-heart conversations are what make time together special.

Of course, we’d have to enjoy some of my favorite restaurants—Beltran’s Grill for incredible flavor, Cinzzetti’s for an amazing Italian buffet experience, and Red Lobster, because let’s be honest, those cheddar biscuits are reason enough to go.

Sunday would be all about faith and fellowship—starting the day at church, worshiping together, then heading out for a big brunch and settling in to cheer on my Denver Broncos, win or lose, surrounded by people I love.

We’d also take a little trip down memory lane—visiting places that have been meaningful in my journey, sharing stories, and reflecting on how far we’ve come. Nothing fancy, just full of heart. That’s my idea of a perfect week—faith, food, football, and the people who matter most.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Special Shout-Out: My Greatest Supporters
None of what I do—none of what we have built through Collegiate Crossings—would be possible without the unwavering support of my incredible family.

To my husband Andy, your strength, faith, and quiet determination have anchored me through every chapter of this journey. Your book, Just Show Up, embodies the heart of how we live and serve. You have always shown up—not just for me, but for every student, family, and community we’ve reached.

To my children—Whitney, Haley, Casey, Andrew, and Ryan—thank you for cheering me on, sacrificing your time, sharing your talents, and standing beside me with love and pride. You are the reason I strive to leave a meaningful legacy, and everything I do is a reflection of the values we’ve nurtured as a family.

And to the hundreds of extended family, friends, donors, volunteers, and community partners—you have made the impossible possible. Thank you for believing in our mission, for showing up with your time, your treasure, and your heart. Together, we are transforming lives and shaping futures.

This work is bigger than any one person—and I am forever grateful that I’ve never had to walk it alone.

Website: https://www.collegiatecrossings.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collegiate_crossings/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/collegiate-crossings

Twitter: https://x.com/CollegiateCross/status/659494542454861824

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CollegiateCrossings/

Image Credits
Heather Bertarelli