Commitment To Diversity

Carol Fulp with Tuskegee Airman, 2nd Lt Luther E. McIlwain

When John Hancock's Carol Fulp, VP, Community Relations, Sponsorship and Event Marketing, was honored recently as a "Living Legend" by the Museum of African American History, it served as the latest reminder of her lifelong commitment to public service.

Fulp joined Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, Harvard Law School Professor Charles Ogletree, philanthropist Alan Solomont, and the Tuskegee Airmen of New England as fellow recipients of the Museum's "Living Legends of 2009."

"Carol is an inspiration to me and to others as we strive both as individuals and as a company to make a difference in the community we call home," says John D. DesPrez III, Chairman and CEO, John Hancock Financial Services, Inc. "I congratulate her on receiving this prestigious award and thank her for the many contributions she has made to John Hancock and the city of Boston."

Beverly Morgan-Welch, Executive Director of the Museum of African American History, said of Fulp and her fellow honorees, "Each in a special way helped to make history happen. They are visionaries whose efforts ushered in a new era of possibility for our nation."

For Fulp, who was joined by family members from the Virgin Islands for the ceremony, the "Living Legend" award was especially poignant.

"I was so humbled to be honored among these special individuals who have made history in shaping our community and also our country," says Fulp. Earlier this year she also received the distinguished Eleanor Roosevelt Award for public service.

"It means a great deal to receive this honor from the Museum as this institution ensures the rich history of African Americans in the Boston area is preserved and shared," says Fulp. "It has such personal meaning for me."

At John Hancock, Fulp's focus has been on helping to build community and diversity in the city where she lives and works – and where she finds her greatest inspiration.

Carol Fulp and Boston First Lady Angela Menino

She notes that she is particularly moved by the memorial statue dedicated to Colonel Robert Gould Shaw and the Massachusetts 54th Regiment across from the State House at the entrance to the Boston Common. The memorial pays tribute to the first African American regiment in the Civil War. "Whenever I pass the statue on my walks, I make sure to touch it. I stop and thank these men who unselfishly gave their lives for all people in our nation to be free," she says. "Our history is captured in this memorial, and I feel privileged to live in a city with such a rich heritage."

At John Hancock, Fulp leads John Hancock's corporate social responsibility initiatives, collaborating with local and national government officials to establish state-of-the-art programming for those most in need. Under her leadership, the company, to its knowledge, has created the largest corporate summer jobs program in the country. And John Hancock's community efforts have resulted in the company receiving the Points of Light Foundation's Corporate Excellence Award.

In addition to her community relations responsibilities, Fulp oversees the company's marketing sponsorships, including the Boston Marathon, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, U.S. National Archives, Kennedy Presidential Library and the Commonwealth Museum. She and her team work to develop innovative marketing and community partnerships that add value to John Hancock's business operations.

"When I deal with leaders in business, non-profits and government in Boston and across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, I am regularly reminded just how much others outside our Company also appreciate Carol's dedication in serving as John Hancock's 'ambassador' to our community," says Jim Gallagher, SVP, Communications, Government & Community Relations for John Hancock.

Prior to joining John Hancock, Fulp served as a senior manager at WCVB-TV, ABC TV's Boston affiliate. She currently serves as a member of the Women's Leadership Board of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Fulp is also a trustee of the WGBH Educational Foundation and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, where she co-chaired the 2008 Profiles in Courage Awards Dinner.

Fulp has received several leadership awards over the years, including honors from the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, Boston Women's Business Journal, the City of Boston and the American Red Cross.

"My personal commitment to the community fits so well with John Hancock's and Manulife's value of community. With John Hancock's belief that 'the future is yours' my team and I are given the opportunity to do our part in helping to shape a better future for others. As such, I am fortunate to be able to live my passion at John Hancock."