Turning Ideas Into Actionable Results
Project & Program Management | Operations & Process Improvement | Digital Strategy & Communication
I’m Carla Milton, a PMI-certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with over ten years of experience leading projects, streamlining operations, improving processes, and driving effective communication strategies across multiple industries. I hold a B.S. in Leadership and an M.A. in Lifespan and Digital Communication with a focus on Strategic Communication from Old Dominion University.
As a former military spouse of fifteen years, I bring adaptability, resilience, and a proven ability to manage cross-functional initiatives in diverse environments. My career has included work with military, healthcare, higher education, and nonprofit sectors aligning strategy with measurable outcomes while ensuring smooth operations and strong client and team relationships.
I am skilled at combining structured project execution with intrapreneurial agility, enabling me to streamline workflows, enhance efficiency, and deliver sustainable results.
Highlighting my diverse career journey, skills, and achievements across project management, strategic communication, and digital initiatives.
Below are some of Carla’s verified trainings, and licenses
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A showcase of strategic initiatives: workshop facilitation. professional writing , and digital projects that demonstrate my approach to innovative communication, digital leadership, and measurable results
S.M.A.R.T. Goals Workshop
Facilitated a student-centered workshop at Old Dominion University, teaching emerging professionals how to set intentional, career-ready goals using the S.M.A.R.T. framework. Guided students in defining actionable objectives, strengthening their ePortfolio reflections, and translating internship experiences into measurable outcomes. The session included interactive exercises, insights from faculty, and real-world examples to enhance professional growth and internship success.
Interested in having a workshop for your team or organization? Let's connect!
Digital Publication & Professional Writing
Preserving the Past with Future Innovation: An Intern’s Interdisciplinary Journey
ODU Monarch Humanities Internship Academy Blog| September 2025
Digital publication authored for Old Dominion University’s Monarch Humanities Internship Academy blog, highlighting interdisciplinary student success and innovative approaches to museum studies, archives, and aerospace pathways.
Demonstrates expertise in:
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Professional Writing
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Storytelling
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Interviewing
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Digital Communication and Leadership
Projects: Proposal Writing
Professional Writing Sample | June 2024
This formal proposal outlines a strategic partnership between the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the Virginia State Police (VSP) to strengthen disaster recovery efforts in the Hampton Roads region following Hurricane Cora.
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Proposal Writing
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Scope Development
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Organizational Analysis
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Strategic Communication
The document demonstrates advanced proposal writing skills, including defining scope of work, analyzing organizational strengths and weaknesses, outlining traffic management and public safety strategies, and developing unified communication approaches.
It highlights expertise in producing clear, persuasive proposals that drive interagency collaboration and effective emergency response planning.
Projects: Digital Communications
My role as a Communications Project Manager with the Monarch Humanities Internship Academy (MHIA) focused on strategic communication and project coordination in a remote setting. I cross-collaborated with MHIA faculty, ODU’s ePortfolio team, and nonprofit partners like Validation Counseling Services to expand internship opportunities. I created outreach materials, internship templates, and streamlined communication between departments and partners.
Key Contributions
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Designed digital flyers and templates to promote internships
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Coordinated with ODU’s ePortfolio team on communication strategies
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Engaged nonprofit partners to explore placement opportunities
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Developed reusable internship templates for faculty and students
To give prospective employers a clear view of my experience and impact, I’ve included select recommendations from colleagues and mentors. These highlight my leadership, strategic thinking, and successful projects, providing a competitive edge in today’s job market.
I am pleased to recommend Carla Milton, a talented and results-driven professional I’ve had the pleasure of supervising through her work with the Monarch Humanities Internship Academy at Old Dominion University, a new unit funded by a $5 million Mellon Foundation grant designed to increased work-based learning for humanities students. In her role as a contracted project and communications lead, Carla has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and a high level of professionalism.
Carla brings a unique blend of experience in strategic communication, marketing, and project management. During her time with us, she played a pivotal role in streamlining our operational processes, improving communication workflows, and elevating the visibility of our student-facing programs. For example, Carla created a series of catchy and informational flyers advertising work-based learning opportunities and worked closely with strategic communications specialists at ODU to promote and recruit students to such opportunities across campus. She also greatly enhanced the Academy’s ability to partner with non-profit organizations across the Hampton Roads area and beyond by crafting internship description templates that organizations use to establish their own high-quality internship programs. Her ability to turn complex ideas and processes into clear, actionable strategies is matched by her collaborative spirit and strong commitment to outcomes.
What truly sets Carla apart is her ability to adapt quickly and lead with confidence. Whether she is designing user-friendly program tools, managing communications across stakeholders, or mentoring student interns, she approaches every task with integrity and purpose. Carla recently planned and facilitated an Orientation over Zoom for student interns receiving Mellon Awards; her capacity to inspire student participation while utilizing interactive online platforms speaks to her unique ability to employ technologies to inspire student exchange and community building. Her blend of creativity, discipline, and emotional intelligence has made her an invaluable asset to the Academy and will surely make her an asset to any team.
I have no doubt that Carla will bring the same level of excellence, initiative, and strategic insight to any organization she joins. I recommend her enthusiastically and without reservation.
Dr. Elizabeth Zanoni
Director, MHIA Internship Studio at Old Dominion University
It is my pleasure to recommend Carla Milton for as a value-add to your Team as well as the organization as a whole. I have had the privilege of working alongside Carla in multiple capacities—as a fellow project manager, as a volunteer within our local Project Management Institute (PMI) chapter here in Charlotte, and as a community collaborator on several service-driven initiatives. Across all of these experiences, Carla has consistently shown herself to be a servant leader, strategic thinker, and results-oriented professional.
Tish Cottrell, MBA,MHA,PMP,CSM
IT Project Manager, Coca-Cola Consolidated
