We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Charmaine Carter a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Charmaine, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I discovered my purpose by embracing my own journey of living with a hidden disability. Growing up with a speech impediment (stuttering) made communication a daily challenge. For a long time, I searched for spaces where I could openly share the anxiety, insecurity, and isolation that came with it. Athletics—especially track and long-distance running—became my outlet. Running gave me confidence and a sense of belonging, and eventually, my children shared that same love for it.
As I began participating in marathons and community runs, I noticed how many of them were dedicated to causes—whether for dyslexia, diabetes, or cancer—and I was inspired. I realized I could create something similar for people like me who needed both encouragement and community. That’s how Pace: Run for a Cause was born: a nonprofit that not only highlights meaningful causes but also reminds us to “pace ourselves” as we run for change.
My background as a social worker, spanning over 20 years, particularly serving individuals with special needs, has deepened this sense of purpose. It affirmed for me that my life’s work is about helping others find strength, resilience, and connection despite their challenges. Ultimately, my purpose grew from transforming my own struggles into a platform for healing and empowerment—for myself, my children, and my community
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Charmaine Carter – CEO & Founder, Pace: Run for a Cause | Social Services Advocate | Advocate for Invisible Disabilities
Tell us about what you do:
I lead Pace: Run for a Cause, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Southern California dedicated to creating awareness and communities of support for individuals with invisible disabilities—including Autism, ADHD, bipolar disorder, speech impairments, and more—through inclusive running events and virtual experiences.
What’s most exciting or special about it:
What fuels my passion is how running—a simple act—becomes a powerful vehicle for empathy, empowerment, and connection. Participants aren’t just lacing up for fitness; they’re uniting for causes many rarely see, but deeply feel. Every race, whether in-person or virtual, is thoughtfully designed. Accurate course measurements, punctual starts, and participant perks, such as custom medals, dry-fit shirts, and reusable goodie bags, ensure a measurable, memorable, and community-minded experience.
What truly moves me is watching invisible struggles become visible, as fundraising and awareness events help foster understanding, reduce stigma, and create a caring, informed public.
What else you’d like folks to know:
My background in healthcare and social services—holding a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice and a Master’s in Applied Behavior, combined with over 16 years of experience advancing care and community for individuals with unseen challenges—deeply informs everything I do. This isn’t a side project—it’s the culmination of a lifelong mission to bridge gaps between those who want to help and those who need it the most.
What’s new—events, expansions, launches:
We recently hosted the “Shero Autism Run 2025”, a 5K/10K designed to honor and uplift individuals with autism. We’re opening registrations for “Pace + Zen: The Hidden World Run,” scheduled for Saturday, October 25, 2025—a uniquely immersive run aimed at celebrating neurodiversity in all its forms. Our next Shero Run is set for Saturday, May 9, 2026. Next year’s Hidden World Run is set for Saturday, October 17, 2026. Lastly, we will be rolling out our “Homecoming 13.1 Musical Half Marathon” schedule for a date to be determined in 2026.
For those who cannot attend in person, our Virtual Runner program enables anyone to participate, support the cause, and promote inclusion from afar.
We also offer flexible event terms—Registrants who can’t attend a booked event may reschedule for any Pace-run event within 12 months, no questions asked!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1. Empathy Rooted in Service
From the beginning of my career, empathy has been at the heart of everything I do. With a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice and a Master’s in Applied Behavior, I stepped into social work with a deep commitment to understanding others—not just their challenges, but the strengths that lie within them . Working across healthcare and social services for over 16 years has taught me that true outreach begins with listening to and valuing every individual’s unique experience.
Advice for emerging leaders:
Cultivate empathy by dedicating time to listening—whether through volunteering, mentorship, or shadowing professionals in service-oriented roles. Real-world connection with diverse experiences builds this muscle more powerfully than theory alone.
2. Organizational and Event Leadership
Discovering my passion for organizing inclusive running events came from a powerful realization: I was skilled at bringing people together—whether in fitness, community events, or awareness campaigns—even though I’d stayed “behind the scenes” for much of my career . Founding Pace: Run for a Cause enabled me to transform my passion into purpose, utilizing my skills in administration and community coordination to create meaningful experiences.
Advice for emerging leaders:
Gain hands-on experience by planning small events, even informal ones. The skills you build organizing volunteers, sponsors, schedules, and logistics are foundational. Start with local community projects and scale up.
3. Bridging Knowledge with Compassion
Over time, I realized that sharing what I knew—through guidance, education, or connection—could bridge the gaps between those who want to support and those in need. This ability to turn expertise into action is a unique blend of professional knowledge and heartfelt intention.
Advice for emerging leaders:
Share what you learn—write a blog, volunteer to mentor, or train peers. Teaching is a powerful way to refine your own skills and intentionally connect professional insight with real-world impact.
In summary, the three pillars of my journey are:
Empathy rooted in service—valuing people and listening deeply.
Event and organizational leadership—bringing ideas to life through thoughtful action.
Knowledge shared with compassion—building bridges through guidance and connection.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
The biggest challenge I face right now is building sustainable resources and visibility for Pace: Run for a Cause. Our mission—to shine a light on invisible disabilities like stuttering, autism, ADHD, and other unseen challenges—is deeply personal and urgently needed. Yet, as with many nonprofits, raising awareness and securing consistent funding to expand our programs can be a challenging task.
Because Pace is still a relatively young organization, one of my priorities has been to ensure that people not only know our name but also understand the why behind what we do. We’re not just organizing runs; we’re creating safe spaces where individuals and families feel seen, supported, and connected.
To overcome this, I am focusing on three strategies:
Partnerships & Collaborations – I’m building relationships with schools, health organizations, and other nonprofits so that we can expand our reach and amplify our impact together.
Community Engagement – Every event, from our “Shero Autism Run” to our upcoming “Hidden World Run,” is designed to be both meaningful and memorable, helping us grow an active base of participants, volunteers, and advocates.
Storytelling & Advocacy – By sharing my personal journey with stuttering and my professional background as a social worker, I’m ensuring our mission resonates on a human level. This helps turn awareness into action, whether that’s in the form of donations, sponsorships, or volunteer commitments.
At the core, I see this challenge not as a barrier but as an opportunity: every step we take toward visibility and sustainability is another chance to remind people that invisible struggles deserve to be acknowledged, understood, and supported.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pacerunforacause.org/
- Instagram: pacerunforacause_
- Facebook: Facebook.com/Pacerunforacause
- Linkedin: Linkedin.com/in/pacerunforacause
- Youtube: Youtube.com/paceunforacause
