Vision Statement

Empowering caregivers to thrive and find balance in their caregiving journey, envisioning a world where caregivers’ mental and emotional well-being is prioritized, and where compassionate support and understanding is readily available in families, among friends, in communities, and our workforce.

What We Do….

  • Empowering Caregivers, Enriching Lives: Our mission is to empower caregivers with valuable knowledge and resources, enriching lives by providing information to foster caregivers’ mental and emotional well-being.
  • Strengthening Communities: We actively engage with communities, nonprofits, and civic groups through speaking engagements and educational initiatives, spreading awareness and techniques for supporting caregivers’ mental and emotional well-being.
  • Supportive Family Dynamics: Our educational outreach initiatives bring awareness to caregivers' families, actively equipping them to provide essential support to minimize potential anxiety, stress, depression, and prevent caregiver burnout.
  • Transforming Workplaces: Through our “Caregiver Advocate Business” program, education, and training, we foster cultural changes within small and large businesses to create caregiver-friendly work environments, fostering inclusivity, understanding, and compassion in the twenty-first century modern workplace.
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Board of Directors

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Carolyn Dowdy

Founder

Carolyn Dowdy, Founder of Caregiver Mental Wellness, brings a diverse background to her role. She has served as a compassionate caregiver, founded and managed a bank consulting firm, held positions as Vice President of Operations, HR, and Training, is a self-published author, and played pivotal roles in launching two start-up banks in Georgia. Carolyn earned her “Bachelor of Science in Business” from Tusculum University in Greeneville, Tennessee. She furthered her education at the University of Texas in Austin, completing "The Graduate School of Financial Institutions Management," and graduated from the “Nonprofit Management Institute” through the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits.

With sixteen years of personal experience as a family caregiver for her parents and husband, Carolyn is deeply committed to advocating for the mental and emotional well-being of family caregivers and promoting supportive workplace environments. Her dedication culminated in the establishment of Caregiver Mental Wellness, Inc., a nonprofit organization based in North Carolina. Her work, informed by extensive research over five years on caregiver burnout and the challenges facing family caregivers in today's workforce, underscores her passion for raising awareness and effecting positive change in family caregivers’ lives.

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Karen S. Schnupp, Esq.

Karen S. Schnupp, an East Tennessee attorney with a background in caregiving, holds a deep passion for supporting caregivers. As a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and the University of Tennessee College of Law, she has thrived as a legal professional, enhancing her legal acumen, business expertise, and interpersonal insights. Partnering with various law firms and leading legal seminars, Karen’s diverse experiences have culminated in her understanding of people and effective public speaking. Juggling caregiving for an Alzheimer ’s-afflicted family member alongside a full-time legal career, she has cultivated profound patience and a comprehensive grasp of caregiver challenges. Recognizing the complexities of harmonizing caregiving and professional duties, she extends compassion and understanding for caregivers. She shares her wealth of knowledge to support others on their caregiving journeys while emphasizing the significance of self-care.

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Thomas Schnupp

Thomas Schnupp retired from an extensive career in the field of physical therapy with a specialty in Geriatric Physical Therapy. He worked at various healthcare type facilities in Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia, and currently resides in Concord, North Carolina. He dedicated his life to the field of Physical Therapy with a passion for supporting his care recipients. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Wheeling Jesuit College then attended Physical Therapy School at West Virginia University. Thomas continued his education and completed his master’s degree at the Medical College of Virginia. With a focus on home care, hospice care, an Alzheimer’s unit, and various skilled and extended care facilities, he gained extensive experience in elderly care. In addition to his extensive clinical experience, Thomas served on the faculty at Wheeling Jesuit University School of Physical Therapy.

With over thirty years of observing the various situations of caregivers in the home, he has a passion for supporting initiatives to support the well-being of caregivers. He witnessed the emotional toll on caregivers and championed mental well-being and support groups. Even in retirement his legacy continues to shine through as an advocate of caregivers’ well-being.

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