Carrie James: The Woman Behind the BRA Network, Her Marriage to Sean Murray, and Her New Chapter in Life
Carrie James had a busy professional life long before her name became familiar to fans of NCIS. She worked with families, taught schoolchildren, managed a school, and eventually started businesses of her own. Her marriage to actor Sean Murray brought her into the public eye, but most of her career has taken place far from Hollywood.
Carrie is best known professionally for creating the Business Relationship Alliance, usually called the BRA Network. The organization grew from informal gatherings into a community where women could exchange advice, meet potential clients, and support each other’s businesses.
Her personal life has also changed. After nearly 19 years of marriage, she and Sean Murray separated in 2024, with their divorce finalized in 2025. Carrie has since turned her attention to writing, speaking, and a podcast called Carrie On!
Quick Bio
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Carrie James |
| Also Known As | Carrie James Murray |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Entrepreneur, Former Teacher, Businesswoman |
| Famous For | Founder of BRA Network and Sean Murray’s Ex-Wife |
| Education | San Francisco State University, Antioch University |
| Qualification | Bachelor’s in Social Work, Master’s in Educational Leadership |
| Former Husband | Sean Murray (NCIS Actor) |
| Marriage Date | November 26, 2005 |
| Divorce Finalized | May 6, 2025 |
| Children | Caitlyn Murray and River Murray |
| Business Founded | Business Relationship Alliance (BRA Network) |
| Educational Institution | Prestique Academy of Innovation and Technology |
| Current Projects | Carrie On! Podcast, Writing, and Public Speaking |
Who Is Carrie James?
Carrie James, also known as Carrie James Murray, is an American entrepreneur and former educator. She spent years working in Los Angeles schools before moving into business ownership.
Many people discover her biography while searching for information about Sean Murray, who plays Timothy McGee in the CBS crime drama NCIS. Carrie, however, has never worked as an actress or built her career around the entertainment industry.
Her work has mostly involved children, education, and women who own small businesses. More recently, she has taken an interest in conversations about career changes, relationships, and starting a new chapter in adulthood.
Carrie James’ Early Life and Education
Not much has been published about Carrie’s childhood. Her exact birthday, parents’ names, and early family life have remained largely private.
One detail she has shared is that she was the first person in her family to finish college. She graduated from San Francisco State University in 1999 with a degree in social work.
She later attended Antioch University in Los Angeles, where she completed a master’s degree in educational leadership.
Her college education opened the door to working in schools and social services. Both fields would become important parts of her professional life, although she eventually chose a different direction.
Her Early Work in Social Services
Before entering education, Carrie worked with people facing serious problems at home. Part of her early career involved helping victims of domestic violence through the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office.
It was difficult work that required patience and an understanding of family problems. After spending time in social services, she decided to try teaching.
That change brought her to Los Angeles, where she began working in schools.
Carrie would spend much of the next 15 years in education, moving from classroom teaching into positions with greater responsibility.
From Classroom Teacher to School Principal
Carrie did not immediately become a business owner. She spent years learning how schools worked from the inside.
As a teacher, she worked directly with children. Later, as a school administrator and principal, her responsibilities included supporting teachers and overseeing educational programs.
One issue caught her attention: some children had strong academic abilities but still struggled in ordinary classroom settings.
These students sometimes needed additional support that traditional teaching methods could not provide.
Carrie’s experience with such children eventually encouraged her to open a school where their learning needs could receive more attention.
Why Carrie James Founded Prestique Academy
In 2011, Carrie opened the Prestique Academy of Innovation and Technology in Los Angeles.
The school was designed for children described as twice-exceptional. The term refers to students who have advanced abilities alongside learning disabilities or other challenges.
For example, a child might be talented in mathematics or reading but struggle with attention, communication, or a particular learning difficulty.
Carrie’s goal was to offer an educational setting that recognized these differences.
Opening the academy also meant becoming responsible for running a business. She now had to manage expenses, staff, and many decisions that were not part of ordinary classroom teaching.
Her Small Pajama Business
Long before opening the academy, Carrie had already experimented with entrepreneurship.
While studying for her master’s degree, she started a small pajama business called PJs by CJ. She made silk pajama pants and sold them through parties and personal recommendations.
It was a simple business compared with the projects she would later manage. Still, it gave her firsthand experience with customers, selling products, and working independently.
That experience became useful when she began connecting with other women who were trying to establish their own companies.
How the BRA Network Began
The idea for the BRA Network came from conversations with other women in business.
Carrie knew that running a company could sometimes feel isolating. Business owners often had questions they were uncomfortable asking competitors or people who had never worked for themselves.
She began meeting with other entrepreneurs over dinner. They talked about customers, business problems, and their daily experiences.
More women wanted to join these conversations, and the gatherings gradually developed into a business community.
In 2015, Carrie formally established the Business Relationship Alliance.
The network encouraged members to recommend one another, share professional contacts, and make use of services offered by other women-owned businesses.
What Made the BRA Network Popular?
The BRA Network followed two familiar ideas: “Collaboration Over Competition” and “Hiring Each Other First.”
These principles encouraged members to support each other through real business opportunities, not simply through friendly conversation.
A photographer might meet a business consultant, for example, while a designer could find someone looking for branding help.
Members also had people they could contact when they needed advice.
The network operated for about a decade. On her official website, Carrie has since discussed closing that chapter and moving toward new projects.
She described the community as an important part of her life, particularly during difficult periods such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
How Carrie James Met Sean Murray
Carrie’s personal life became more widely known after her relationship with Sean Murray.
The couple met at a Halloween party in 2004. They began dating and married in Los Angeles on November 26, 2005.
By that time, Sean was already appearing on NCIS, a show that would become one of CBS’s best-known television dramas.
Over the following years, their careers developed in different directions. Sean continued acting, while Carrie worked in education and later focused on her businesses.
They occasionally attended entertainment events together, although they generally kept their family life away from constant publicity.
Carrie James and Sean Murray’s Children
Carrie and Sean welcomed their first child, Caitlyn Murray, in 2007. Their son, River Murray, was born in 2010.
Their daughter, who also works under the name Cay Ryan Murray, appeared in an episode of NCIS in 2022.
She played Teagan Fields in the episode titled The Brat Pack. Sean later spoke about how proud he felt watching his daughter work on the show.
Carrie and Sean have shared some family moments publicly, but they have kept many details about their children’s personal lives private.
Both children were an important part of the couple’s family life throughout their marriage.
What Happened to Carrie James and Sean Murray’s Marriage?
Carrie and Sean spent more than 18 years together as husband and wife.
They celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary in November 2023. However, only a few months later, their relationship came to an end.
According to divorce documents, they separated on March 18, 2024.
Carrie filed for divorce in April of that year, citing irreconcilable differences.
The news received considerable attention because Sean had been married for much of his long career on NCIS.
Neither Carrie nor Sean publicly provided a detailed explanation of what led to the separation.
When Was Their Divorce Finalized?
The divorce became official on May 6, 2025.
Reports based on court documents stated that the former couple reached an uncontested divorce agreement. Most of the arrangements concerning their finances, property, and family matters were handled privately.
Their pension plans and retirement accounts were to be divided equally, according to published reports.
The end of their marriage brought a major change to Carrie’s personal life after nearly two decades together.
Carrie James’ New Life and Carrie On!
Following the changes in her personal and professional life, Carrie began working on Carrie On!, a web series and podcast.
The show features conversations with women about subjects that are sometimes difficult to discuss openly.
Topics include relationships, money, career changes, family responsibilities, health, and finding a new direction in middle age.
Carrie has also entered the publishing world. In 2025, she contributed to two nonfiction books, Show Her the Money and Fully Expressed!
Her current work gives her a chance to share experiences and hear from people outside the business community she helped create.
Carrie James’ Net Worth
There is no publicly verified figure for Carrie James’ net worth.
Her career has included teaching, school administration, business ownership, speaking, and media projects. However, the financial details of those activities have not been fully disclosed.
Some websites publish estimates of her wealth, but there is not enough reliable information to confirm those amounts.
It is more accurate to discuss her known professional work than to assign her an unsupported net worth.
Conclusion
Carrie James has worked in several different professions over the years. She began in social services, became a teacher and principal, opened a school, and later created a network for women entrepreneurs.
Her former marriage to Sean Murray made her known to many television fans, but it represents only one part of her life.
After their divorce in 2025, Carrie continued exploring new opportunities through writing, speaking, and Carrie On!
Her career has taken several unexpected turns. What connects those different experiences is her long-standing interest in education, business relationships, and bringing people together.
(FAQs)
Who is Carrie James?
Carrie James is an American entrepreneur, former teacher, and founder of the Business Relationship Alliance. She is also known as the former wife of NCIS actor Sean Murray.
How old is Carrie James?
Carrie James has not publicly confirmed her exact date of birth through a reliable source, so her precise age is not officially established.
Is Carrie James still married to Sean Murray?
No. Carrie James and Sean Murray separated in March 2024. Their divorce was finalized on May 6, 2025.
Does Carrie James have children?
Yes. Carrie has two children with Sean Murray: a daughter named Caitlyn, born in 2007, and a son named River, born in 2010.
What does Carrie James do now?
Carrie is involved in speaking, writing, and media projects. She is the creator and host of Carrie On!, a web series and podcast covering women’s experiences and major life changes.
