One of Boston’s most prominent business woman and philanthropists, Carol Sawyer Parks has been instrumental in reshaping the city’s architectural, cultural and educational landscape.

As president and CEO of the Real Estate development company Sawyer Enterprises and Sawyer Parks, Inc. Parks has developed the W Boston Hotel and Residences as well as the Nike Town building on Newbury Street, among others.

Born and raised in Boston, the daughter of taxi and transportation magnate Frank Sawyer, Parks was educated in the city before moving to Los Angeles, California where she raised two children while embarking on a prosperous career in real estate development. Parks later returned to Boston to assist with the family businesses, successfully shifting its focus from transportation to real estate development.

Parks has also dedicated much of her time giving back to the community in numerous ways as Trustee and Vice Chairman of the Board of Suffolk University, Director of Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, Trustee of Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, and Director of the 100 Club of Boston which raises funds for families of fallen firefighters and police officers.

Parks was featured in the 2011 book Boston, Inspirational Woman by Bill Brett and Kerry Brett and has been named one of the 25 Stylish Bostonians by the Boston Globe. She enjoys an active lifestyle that Includes scuba diving, skiing, biking, hiking, and yoga. Parks also loves spending time with her family and pets.