CAROLINE LAWSON | Director of M&A and corporate development, Air Control Concepts

Early this year, Caroline Lawson joined Air Control Concepts, a Norfolk-based company that partners with and supports commercial HVAC solutions providers. In that short period, Lawson executed multiple strategic acquisitions that expanded Air Control Concepts’ presence across the United States and Canada, according to her nominator.

One of Lawson’s first efforts was working to optimize the company’s mergers and acquisitions and integration processes. “I’ve advocated for larger, more strategic acquisitions that align with our company’s long-term vision and make the best use of internal resources,” she says. “This approach has allowed us to move quickly, reduce risk, and maximize return on effort.”
Lawson got her start as a student at Virginia Tech, when she was recruited by a women’s mentoring program for an internship at Credit Suisse, a Swiss financial services firm that UBS acquired in 2023. After she completed her dual degrees in finance and real estate, Lawson moved to New York City to work for Credit Suisse as an investment banking analyst.
In 2020, Lawson moved to Northwood Investors, a Colorado-based real estate investment adviser, where she worked as an analyst and then as an associate in acquisitions.

As a female executive in the traditionally male-dominated HVAC and finance sectors, Lawson advocates for women’s advancement.

“Her leadership sets a powerful example … demonstrating that empathy, integrity and strategic thinking can open doors and create sustainable pathways for future female leaders,” Lawson’s nominator says.

Return to the full list of this year’s recipients