Dr. Carletta S. Hurt is an entrepreneur and strategic leader with over two decades of experience navigating the intersection of education, business, and social impact. As the founder of Coaching Connections, she has successfully built and scaled an educational initiative that empowers young girls through rigorous leadership programming and professional coaching. Her business acumen is further evidenced by her tenure as President of the National Black MBA Association’s DC Chapter, where she managed large-scale corporate sponsorships and oversaw the execution of a national conference for over 9,000 attendees. With dual doctorates in Urban Leadership and Entrepreneurship and Higher Education Administration, Dr. Hurt brings a sophisticated understanding of what it takes to launch and sustain a mission-driven enterprise.

Beyond her administrative and executive roles, Dr. Hurt is an award-winning creative producer and director, who found her love for filmmaking in-between graduate classes. With over two dozen films under her belt, Dr. Hurt started as a Casting PA in Remember the Titans and landed her first on-screen credit with The Fighting Temptations. proving that entrepreneurship is as much about visionary storytelling as it is about strategy. Her ability to forge robust partnerships with major brands—including Urban One, Chick-fil-A, and PBS/NOVA—demonstrates a mastery of networking and brand development. Whether she is producing nationwide documentary projects or mentoring the next generation of CEOs, Dr. Hurt leads with an “innovative-first” mindset. She is dedicated to equipping middle school students with the practical tools of the trade, from financial literacy to strategic planning, ensuring they have the confidence to turn their own creative ideas into viable business ventures.