Reference from Erin L. Barnhart, Ph.D.

To Whom It May Concern:

Please accept this letter of recommendation as evidence of my high regard and respect for Carlton Rounds. 

I first met Carlton through our mutual work with the Building Bridges Coalition, an international collective of nonprofit, corporate, and educational organizations and institutions invested in and seeking to help facilitate ethical, meaningful international service. Carlton was already a recognized thought leader in the field, particularly regarding the need for greater diversity and inclusion, and he was immediately an invaluable collaborative, dynamic partner, offering actionable ideas and strategies as well as challenging accepted norms and inspiring new directions.

Carlton is also one of the most intuitive thinkers and communicators I know.  While serving on the board of Volunteer Positive – the NGO he founded and leads – I saw firsthand how Carlton could effortlessly communicate the complexities of individuals living with HIV/AIDS and what it means when they seek to engage in international service and engagement in terms that were accessible and relatable to all audiences. Carlton has been profiled in and contributed to media stories many times, sharing his vision for the organization and the needs that it addresses, and I am confident that his ability to articulate and introduce these new perspectives in such accessible, empathetic terms has led to many new allies and partners.

Carlton also regularly served as a guest speaker in a class I taught for graduate students studying international development and service.  The topics he covered ranged from seeking to understand one’s own personal identities (race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, etc.) and the ways that these can shift in priority based on environment and culture, to identifying one’s vulnerabilities and leading with them in an effort to build trust and connection with global community partners.  Again, Carlton’s gift for taking challenging, potentially uncomfortable, topics and making them accessible and approachable was unparalleled and he facilitated great reflection and discussion for my students.

Overall, Carlton is an extraordinary human being, a brilliant and enormously compassionate man who is also a remarkably gifted communicator, teacher, leader, and visionary thinker.  He has my highest recommendation and, more importantly, my great admiration and respect.

Sincerely,

Erin L. Barnhart, Ph.D.

Founder & President

Effective Altruism, LLC