MS Business Journal Honors Carr as Leading Businesswoman

After a decade of investing and developing quality properties throughout the Southeast, Jamie Carr was recently honored as a Distinguished Leading Businesswoman by the Mississippi Business Journal. 

Given to 50 professional women across Mississippi each year, the Distinguished Leading Businesswomen award recognizes strong female leadership and innovation. “It’s an honor,” Carr said. “I love what I do, but the praise is never why I do it.” 

Since its inception in 1997, the Distinguished Leading Businesswomen title has been awarded to 1,100 women in a range of industries and roles, from public affairs and journalism to education and nonprofit work. The common tie amongst all honorees is that each strives to make Mississippi stronger.

“Women in business are integral to a functioning society,” Carr said. “Each leader I stood next to showed me what a great state Mississippi really is.”  

Carr finds purpose in growing her skills and becoming a role model for her children. “I never would have thought I would be able to do the things I’ve been able to, especially this early in life,” she said. “Learning more and finding value opportunities is not only fun for me, but my way of encouraging my kids to do the same.” 

An award luncheon dedicated to the honorees took place in February. Jackson Public Schools Education Director Thea Faulkner, Butler Snow Attorney Blair H. Jussely and MPB Foundation Executive Director Angela Crossley Ferraez were just some of the women honored alongside Carr. They joined together to connect and be recognized for their accomplishments, each giving a short speech about themselves and their business. 

“Listening to every woman talk about their careers was inspiring,” Carr said. “Even today, so many industries continue to be male-dominated, but to be able to celebrate women leaders in this way was special.”

Carr said that it’s empowering to have the opportunity to engage and connect with other women and learn from them. “It’s incredible how these events can build long-lasting community relationships,” Carr said. “Women need to back each other up. There’s so much we can learn from each other.”

Building relationships with other women in business is important to Carr. Not only can it lead to future investment opportunities or successful tenant partnerships, but Carr understands the deep connection between a strong network of women business leaders and a thriving community. “It’s really a small town, Mississippi,” Carr said. “We all have to work together to make positive progress.”