Most recently as the founder and president of the JCR Group, Carranza consults corporations and NGO's on creating sustainable growth business models. In her role as Vice -Chair of both the American Cancer Society Corporate Executive Advisory Council and Hispanic Health Coalition of Georgia, she has lead to the strengthening of corporate partnerships, increasing the mission and scope of both nonprofit's mission.
Carranza a Chicago native served as the Deputy Administrator for the United States Small Business Administration from December 2006 to January 2009. Appointed by President George W. Bush, Carranza was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate. As Deputy Administrator, Carranza managed an agency with more than 80 field offices across the country and a portfolio of direct and guaranteed business loans, venture capital investments and disaster loans worth almost $80 billion. In an effort to improve customer response, Carranza led key operational improvement initiatives and projects.
Prior to her SBA appointment, Carranza served as vice president of air operations for United Parcel Service (UPS) the world’s largest package delivery company at its airline headquarters in Louisville, KY, where she led the cutting-edge automated package processing operation.
In a career spanning more than twenty-five years at the UPS and during a period of major expansion, Carranza worked her way up to vice president of domestic operations and president of international operations for Latin America and the Caribbean. Carranza’s international expertise would be further enhanced when at the U.S. Small Business Administration, she directed inter-governmental collaborations with organizations in Berlin and Africa. She worked with trade ministers from China, Africa, Mexico, Czech Republic, and Chile, and signed critical trade cooperation sessions. Her visits to Berlin and Africa promoted Women’s Small and Midsize Enterprises and entrepreneurial plenaries on behalf of the Small Business Administration and its mission.
Carranza earned her MBA from University of Miami (FL). She also has received executive, management and financial training at the INSEAD Business School in Paris, France the University of Michigan and the University of Chicago.
In recognition of her numerous achievements Carranza was selected to receive the following honors:
· Woman of Distinction by American Association of University Women and NASPA at the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders in June 2008
· Woman of the Year for Outstanding Accomplishments throughout her career by Hispanic Business Magazine.
· Honored by City of Los Angeles State of California with a resolutions commending outstanding accomplishments and in appreciation for assistance in helping the Los Angeles Small Business Community.
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