After attending Radford College (now Radford University) in Radford, Virginia, Carolyn Bivens accepted a position as an Office Systems Consultant for the Xerox Corporation in 1976. She worked her way up to the position of Federal Government Sales Representative and Federal Government Sales Consultant. After six years with Xerox, Carolyn Bivens joined the original launch team of USA TODAY in 1982, 6 months before publication began. In her capacity as Vice President of National Circulation Sales, she developed the amenity program for airline and hotel sales and guided sports marketing activities and educational initiatives. Ten years later, she assumed leadership of the newspaper’s global advertising and, in 1993, the Gannett Co., Inc. named Carolyn Bivens “Manager of the Year.”

In 1991, USA TODAY promoted Carolyn Bivens to Senior Vice President and Associate Publisher. In 5 years’ time, she increased revenue by 100% and greatly improved margins as well. After 18 years with USA TODAY, Carolyn Bivens was offered the role of President and Chief Operating Officer at Initiative Media North America, the largest media buying agency in the United States. For her expert handling of all operations during her five-year reign, Electronic Media magazine designated Carolyn Bivens as “One of the Most Powerful Women in Television.”

In 2005, Carolyn Bivens was named Commissioner of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA). She succeeded yet again in growing profits, taking just 4 years to go from $400,000 to $4 million, as well as setting records for prize money, partner contributions, and audience numbers, while expanding the LPGA from an American women’s professional sports association to a global concern boasting 1,700 members in 37 countries. Carolyn Bivens also assisted in paving the way for golf to be included as part of the Olympic competition beginning in 2016, and became the first woman ever to serve as one of the seven members of the Board of the World Golf Foundation and Audit Committee.

Currently, Carolyn Bivens is a Leadership Facilitator for Eagle’s Flight, a Canadian company that uses experiential learning in practical training programs for the international business community. She is also a Leadership Circle Member for the Global Alliance for Transformational Entertainment, a membership community of media professionals seeking to create and express mindful content. Prominent members include actor/activist Jim Carrey and author Eckhart Tolle.