Disclosure: Rose Law Group represents Carolyn Mullany-Jackson
Rose Law Group Reporter Staff
Carolyn Mullany-Jackson is Vice President, Brand Strategy, for Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auctions, and she is the Chairman of the 2018 Phoenix Heart Ball. Carolyn recently launched a bold year-long charitable initiative, Driven Hearts, in an effort to fight heart disease.
You have a lot going on. Why the decision to Chair the upcoming Heart Ball?
It’s such an honor to even be asked to serve, especially by such an esteemed and accomplished group of women who comprise the Heart Ball Committee, that there was no way I could turn them down, regardless of how challenging the job may be. The thought of taking this on absolutely terrified me – so I had to say yes. Some of the most amazing accomplishments in this world are achieved by people on the borderline of fear.
Is The Phoenix Heart Ball the only charitable organization you’re involved in?
Previously, in 2014 and 2015, I co-chaired the “Sound of Speed.” It was a really innovative initiative that combined racing, cars, and music to benefit The Phoenix Symphony. I also care greatly about Childhelp and TGen – two incredible organizations that have long been supported by Barrett-Jackson – and continually look for ways to creatively support them in their endeavors. I am a firm believer in “thinking out of the box,” particularly when it comes to fundraising efforts.
What are the goals of your Heart Ball Chairmanship and Barrett-Jackson’s Driven Hearts campaign?
In my role as Chairman of the Heart Ball, I’m extremely focused on the mission and getting the message across about heart disease and stroke. It is my goal for the Phoenix Heart Ball to be the #1 Heart Ball in the nation in terms of raising awareness. When I learned that heart disease is the #1 killer of both men and women, yet it is 80 percent preventable, I realized immediately that Barrett-Jackson’s unique and highly visible platform could help both in terms of raising funds in a number of different ways as well as creating enormous awareness – and it is doing just that. Car enthusiasts know the importance of checking their tire and oil pressure; they can learn how it’s even more important to check their blood pressure and learn the signs of stroke. We can change lives.
How does your position as the Barrett-Jackson’s VP of Brand Strategy help you engage other brands with the Driven Hearts campaign?
The car community, in general, is a tremendously generous group of individuals and businesses. As VP of Brand Strategy and thoroughly invested in marketing, I enjoy working with other brands and coming up with innovative ways to raise funds and awareness. For example, Dodge graciously allowed the 10% buy fee on their $1 million charity sale of the last Demon and last Viper at our just-completed Northeast Auction to go to the American Heart Association. Shell Pennzoil worked with us to host the prestigious goldRush Rally at the auction and encourage the display of #DrivenHearts on the incredible supercars that participate in the cross-country event. We are in the process of negotiating a special offer with Lyft that will also help the cause. Car clubs from around the country are also coming on board for the cause: The proceeds from the recent 9th Annual Shelby Car Show in Texas and the Phoenix-based APEX Motor Club road rally went to Driven Hearts.
What do you find most challenging about your charitable work?
The hardest part is living up to legacies in our community. On the Heart Ball side, there have been 58 incredible women who chaired this event before me. From a business perspective, my husband Craig’s mother, Nellie Jackson – who was the driving force behind Barrett-Jackson’s charitable efforts for years – left shoes impossible to fill. One of my priorities is ensuring those legacies continue. Perhaps the most challenging aspect about my charitable work, however, is just balancing the obligations a full-time career with the incredibly important task of the Heart Ball. But, as John C. Maxwell once said, “Success is due to our stretching to the challenges of life; failure comes when we shrink from them.” I enjoy stretching!
