‘68 Textiles and Clothing
Palos Verdes Peninsula, Calif.

Carol Anderson ’68 is the 2026 recipient of the Helen LeBaron Hilton Award, annually presented by the College of Health and Human Sciences. Anderson built a four-decade career as a fashion designer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, turning her degree in textiles and clothing into a nationally recognized fashion business.

Anderson chose Iowa State because she felt it had the best program in fashion and clothing design. She also credits the program with teaching discipline, time management, and project management skills that continued to benefit her throughout her career and everyday life.

“Iowa State gave me a strong foundation in clothing construction, which was invaluable in starting and growing my own clothing brand,” she said.

While at Iowa State, Anderson found a mentor in Professor Donna Danielson after taking a fashion illustration class.

“I really appreciated the personal attention and encouragement she gave me as a student,” Anderson said. “Even after I graduated, we stayed in touch for several years, and her continued support helped me build my work and pursue my passion for fashion design. Having a mentor who believed in me made a lasting impact on both my education and career.”

After graduating, Anderson began designing and producing garments from her garage before founding Carol Anderson California in 1977. The company gained a national following and was sold through major retailers including Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s.

In 2001, Anderson launched CAbi (Carol Anderson by Invitation). The company grew into one of the nation’s largest direct-sales fashion brands, supported by a network of independent stylists across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Anderson said she is most proud of the community that grew around the company and the opportunities it created for women pursuing professional and financial goals.

She later established the Heart of CAbi Foundation, which supports women, families and entrepreneurs through clothing donations, educational initiatives, microfinance programs and disaster relief. To date, CAbi and its charitable initiatives have donated more than $70 million in clothing and financial support and provided approximately 20,000 microloans. The organization’s efforts have reached communities in 66 countries and supported more than 87,500 students through educational programs.

Through her work as a designer, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Anderson exemplifies the qualities recognized by the Helen LeBaron Hilton Award.

Named for former Iowa State dean Helen LeBaron Hilton, the award honors individuals whose work reflects her belief that family and consumer sciences could improve quality of life through education, leadership, and community engagement.

“Receiving the Helen LeBaron Hilton Award is humbling and deeply meaningful to me. Iowa State University gave me the education and confidence to pursue a career in fashion, and being recognized by the school that helped launch that journey is a tremendous honor. It also celebrates the values that have guided me my whole career— creativity, entrepreneurship, and empowering women to succeed together,” Anderson said. “I accept this award with deep gratitude, knowing that any success I’ve achieved has been made possible by the extraordinary women who believed in our vision, supported one another, and built a community that continues to inspire me to this day.”