Carrie Gray is the Founder & Principal of Gray Breakthroughs. Read her story as this week’s #PeopleOfWilmDE!
I grew up in South Jersey near Woodstown (near Cowtown for those that drive to the Jersey Shore). I went to Elon University in North Carolina where I got my Bachelors in Communications then went right from there to grad school at Syracuse University, The Newhouse School, and received my Masters Degree in Public Relations. I later went on to receive my Doctor of Business Administration from Wilmington University in 2015.
I came to Wilmington in the Summer of 1998 to do a practicum at First Night Wilmington (the former nonprofit that ran the New Year’s Eve celebration downtown); this was part of my requirements to complete my master’s degree from The Newhouse School at Syracuse University. I got introduced to the Managing Director at Wilmington 2000 (which became Wilmington Renaissance Corporation (WRC) and is now Wilmington Alliance). He hired me as the Communications Manager. I was promoted in the next 7 years to Director of Communications and then Deputy Director. When he left WRC in 2005, I became the Managing Director and served in that role until I left in 2018.
In 2018 was hired by Wilmington University to join the College of Business as chair of the Doctor of Business Administration program, from which I graduated. Six months later I was promoted to Director in the College of Business and in addition to chairing the doctoral program, I oversaw the MBA and Business Management undergrad programs.
I left in 2021 to pursue my own consulting practice, which had always been a personal and professional goal.
Since launching Gray Breakthroughs almost 4 years ago, I’ve worked with over 40 nonprofit organizations and small businesses. I serve as a business strategy consultant, advisor and coach.
Why do you continue to choose Wilmington to work in/live in?
There are so many reasons why Wilmington is a great place to live. But probably number one on that list is that it’s easy to build relationships in Wilmington. I’ve heard Delaware described as a state of neighbors many times and it’s absolutely true. It’s easy to connect with people and continue to foster those relationships.
I also think the quality of life in Wilmington is great. The arts and entertainment offerings, the quality restaurants, and the ease of which you can navigate within Wilmington and the region is really attractive.
Plus Wilmington gives you a small town feel in a mid-sized city. It’s the best of both worlds.
How has being in Wilmington helped you be where you are today professionally and personally?
It’s all about relationships. Working for WRC as my first job in Wilmington set me up for my longer-term professional successes. I really owe so much to that opportunity.
Wilmington Favorites
Favorite Wilmington attraction/event and why:
Delaware Theatre Company (DTC) – I might be biased because I’m on the board, but the quality of the performances is amazing and the newly renovated theater is simply gorgeous. We’re so lucky to have this asset in our community. Everyone should be going to DTC!
Best place to catch live music:
They don’t have live music all the time, but when Christina Cultural Arts Center brings an artist in for a performance, you can bet they’re going to be top notch. And their performance venue is intimate and comfortable. Otherwise, the Queen and the Grand are always good venues.
On a typical day or night off, if I’m out in Wilmington, I go:
My favorites are coffee/breakfast at Brew HaHa in Trolley, lunch at Tonic and dinner at Scalessa’s.
Ideal itinerary for a weekend in Wilmington:
Friday night – go to The Chancery Market and then a film at The Screening Room at 1313. Check out the bars/restaurants on Market Street for live music, etc.
Saturday – head to Trolley Square for coffee/breakfast at Brew HaHa, walk around the Highlands and do the sculpture garden and labyrinth at the Delaware Art Museum, lunch on the rooftop deck at Trolley Oyster House, Trolley Square Market and other local spots for gifts/shopping, Delaware History Museum, dinner at Brandywine Brasserie then late night drinks at the bar at Kid’s Shelleens.
Sunday – brunch and duckpin bowling at Wilma’s.
Insights and Future Vision
What are you excited about that’s going on in Wilmington right now?
I love seeing the residential growth downtown. Doing the work of promoting downtown for 20 years, the vision we had is finally being realized. It’s really wonderful to see.
How would you like to see our city grow in the next year, next 5-10 years?
I’d like to see the neighborhoods immediately surrounding downtown see the same investment and attention that downtown has seen.
And making sure that there is rental housing that is affordable and is also well-managed for the residents who live in the city. We should have a zero tolerance policy for slum landlords.
What advice would you like to give people living and working in Wilmington?
Spend your dollars locally! The more you patronize the businesses and arts, culture and entertainment venues in our city, the more they will thrive and sustain. Our quality of life as citizens in the greater Wilmington area is dependent on Wilmington’s success.
Personal Reflections
What is one of your proudest moments of being a Wilmingtonian?
There are probably too many to count, but overall my 20 years working for WRC and collaborating with so many wonderful people and partners is the thing that I will also look back on in my career with pride. The work we did together made a difference for our city.
List of any organizations or volunteer work you have done.
Again, too many to list, but most recently – DTC, Delaware Historical Society, Rotary Club of Wilmington.
What are 3 interesting or surprising facts about you?
- I am a singer and was part of a vocal ensemble The Fruits of the Spirit, which was hosted at Christina Cultural Arts Center. We toured in Italy and Puerto Rico.
- I love traveling and have been to 49 of the 50 states – we’ve been on a mission since 2016 to see all 50 states before my husband turns 50 in 2027.
- In recent years I rediscovered my love of reading and last year I set a goal to read 24 books and ended up reading 50. This year I have a goal to read 25.
