Carolyn Beaulieu

*Carolyn Beaulieu has been working towards improving the lives of Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Band members for over two decades in one capacity or another. She began her journey in 1999 as a blackjack dealer at Grand Casino Mille Lacs, and on July 9, 2024, she was sworn into office as the District I Representative.
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Throughout her career with the Band, Beaulieu has gained extensive experience in various aspects of Corporate Commissions business ventures, casino gaming, hospitality, and government. She began serving as Assistant Commissioner of Administration in 2009 and transitioned to Commissioner of Administration, holding that position until 2012.

As a young girl, Beaulieu looked up to her older brother, Ray, who enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1984. Beaulieu said he would write home telling tales of how much fun he was having in the Army and enjoyed being able to travel.

Following in her brother’s footsteps, Beaulieu enlisted while a senior in high school and started basic training in January ‘88. Her Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) was Military Police. Her first duty station was Kaiserslautern, West Germany, followed by Ft. Benning, Georgia, and a short tour of duty at the Panama Canal before being honorably discharged in 1992.

Beaulieu was elected Secretary-Treasurer in 2014 and served four years in that position. After her term ended, she spent time with her family before returning to Eddy’s as a hotel supervisor in 2021. Looking for more of a challenge, Beaulieu returned to the casino, joining the Table Games Department as a dealer for a very short time before being promoted to Pit Boss.

In May of 2023, Beaulieu applied for and accepted the position of Talent Acquisition Manager. However, she missed the table games so much that in January of 2024, she applied and was hired as the Gaming Process Manager, a role she enjoyed and kept until she was sworn in as the District I Representative in July 2024.

Beaulieu knows the importance of education and, early in her career, decided to go back to school while working towards her career goals. It took some time, but she has never looked back. Beaulieu earned her Associate degree in 2009, her Bachelor’s degree in 2011, and earned her Master’s degree in 2013 holding a Master of Tribal Administration and Governance from the University of Minnesota, Duluth.

Beaulieu has an unquenchable thirst to see all Band members thrive— not just in District I but Band members throughout the tribe. She has always admired the late Chief Executive Marge Anderson, who was determined to provide better lives for Band members. Beaulieu says she is inspired by Anderson’s vision and vows to tenaciously pursue ways to continue that vision.*