Pilar Castro Di Carlo, founder and CEO of More Canvas Consulting (MCC), has been named a 2026 NJBIZ Leading Women in Business honoree. The award was presented at a ceremony held August 18, 2026, at The Palace in Somerset Park, Somerset, N.J. This recognition underscores Castro Di Carlo's significant contributions to the business community, particularly in the areas of strategy, operations, and coaching.
Since founding More Canvas in 2014, Castro Di Carlo has built a firm that helps innovators with purpose navigate the administrative and communications challenges that often divert them from their core work. What started as practical support for artists and arts organizations in New Jersey has evolved over twelve years into a comprehensive consultancy serving healthcare systems, nonprofits, Ivy League institutions, physician-owned practices, and small businesses across the Northeast. More Canvas now operates in three practice areas: Consulting, Creative, and Coaching.
The Coaching practice, formally launched in early 2026 following Castro Di Carlo's completion of a Certificate in Professional Coaching from NYU SPS, reflects an approach that had been integrated into the firm's client work for years. This expansion aligns with a growing demand for leadership development and human-centered management, particularly as organizations navigate rapid technological changes and shifting workforce dynamics.
More Canvas is a WBENC-certified Women's Business Enterprise and currently operates with an all-women team. This certification and recognition are significant in an industry where women-owned businesses often face underrepresentation. By highlighting women leaders, NJBIZ's Leading Women in Business program aims to inspire and acknowledge the impact of women in shaping the business landscape.
Castro Di Carlo's credentials are impressive: an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, an MFA from NYU Tisch School of the Arts, and a BA cum laude from Princeton University. She also serves on the board of the United Way of Greater Mercer County and is a founding board member of Princeton Arts Alumni. Her commitment to mentoring is evident through her involvement with Princeton University's Entrepreneurship Council START program and E-Club Mentorship program, as well as speaking engagements at institutions like Wharton on creativity in business and human-centered leadership.
The recognition from NJBIZ is not just a personal accolade; it reflects the collaborative success of the firm's clients and partners. As Castro Di Carlo noted, "This kind of recognition rarely reflects one person's work alone. It belongs just as much to the clients and collaborators who've trusted our team to help them navigate change over the years."
For business leaders, this news highlights the importance of strategic consulting and coaching in building sustainable organizations. More Canvas's approach—building infrastructure that serves people and exiting strategically so clients can operate independently—offers a model for scalability and resilience. In an era where businesses must adapt to technological disruptions and changing consumer expectations, such support is invaluable.
The impact extends beyond individual clients. By empowering women-led businesses and promoting diversity in leadership, honors like this contribute to a more inclusive business environment. As the demand for agility and human-centered leadership grows, the insights and services provided by firms like More Canvas become increasingly critical for organizations aiming to thrive.
More Canvas Consulting continues to serve as a testament to how focused, practical support can drive meaningful change across industries. The firm's growth and recognition signal a broader trend: the integration of coaching and strategic consulting as essential components of modern business success.
