Carmen is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts in both Theater & Performance and English Literature. She is an alumnus of programs at the American Conservatory Theater, the Upright Citizens Brigade, and received classical training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London UK. A member of SAG-AFTRA and the Actors' Equity Association, her long list of stage performances includes working in Europe and the USA. Her favorite work in Los Angeles includes participating in the CBS Latino Showcase, cast and produced by CBS casting SVP Fern Orenstein & EVP Peter Golden, Sissy at the Center Theater Group's New Theater for Now at the Kirk Douglas Theater, and Charles Marowitz & Martin Sheen's Hey Chavez. Her television credits include 24 (FOX), Without a Trace (CBS), I'm Sorry (truTV), I Think You Should Leave (Netflix), America’s Most Wanted (FOX).

When Carmen is not acting, she runs her award winning pet care and dog training company, Love at First Sit® ⎸ People’s Dog Training® in Santa Monica, California. With 15 years of experience working with animals, she is also certified dog trainer and behaviorist, certified service dog trainer, Fear Free Certified® Professional Animal Trainer for cats and dogs, and an evaluator, judge, and instructor for the American Kennel Club Family Dog Program. Her Love At First Sit® Initiative supports shelters, nonprofits, and charities.

Carmen is a recognized pet expert and regular guest on LA news outlets like KCRW Press Play with Madeline Brand. She writes "Pet of the Week" for the Santa Monica Daily Press and was featured as Spectrum News 1 Socal's “Everyday Hero.”

Carmen lives in Santa Monica with her extraordinary cat, Naobi.