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.
Castro Di Carlo founded More Canvas in 2014 with a mission to provide practical support to innovators with purpose, allowing them to focus on their core work. Initially, the firm helped creatives navigate administrative and communications tasks that often divert attention from their craft. Over the past twelve years, what began as assistance for artists and arts organizations has evolved into a broader consultancy.
Today, More Canvas operates across three practice areas: Consulting, Creative, and Coaching. The firm partners with healthcare systems, nonprofits, Ivy League institutions, physician-owned practices, and small businesses across the Northeast. The Coaching practice was formally launched in early 2026, following Castro Di Carlo's completion of a Certificate in Professional Coaching from NYU SPS. This offering reflects an approach that had been integrated into client work for years before becoming a named service.
More Canvas is a WBENC-certified Women's Business Enterprise and currently employs an all-women team. Castro Di Carlo acknowledged the collective nature of the recognition, stating, "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."
The firm's impact is evident in client testimonials. A Chief Operating Officer at a National Healthcare Network commented, "Collaborating with More Canvas has been a pleasure. When implementing a complex initiative — especially one involving multiple departments and stakeholders — More Canvas was exceptional at organizing and synthesizing everyone's input into a clear, logical, and actionable framework."
Client work spans a wide range of industries, from growing medical practices to established nonprofits. The common thread across engagements is building infrastructure that serves the people using it and exiting strategically so clients can operate independently.
Castro Di Carlo's background includes 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 completed a Certificate in Professional Coaching through NYU SPS, an ICF-aligned credential. Beyond her consulting work, she serves on the board of the United Way of Greater Mercer County and is a founding board member of Princeton Arts Alumni. She regularly mentors founders through Princeton University's Entrepreneurship Council START program and E-Club Mentorship program, and speaks at institutions including The Wharton School on creativity in business and human-centered leadership.
This recognition underscores the growing importance of consultancies that blend strategic insight with human-centered approaches. As organizations across sectors face increasing complexity, the demand for services that help build sustainable infrastructure and foster independent operation is likely to rise. More Canvas's expansion into coaching reflects a broader trend toward integrating professional development with organizational strategy.
For more information about More Canvas Consulting, visit morecanvas.com.
