About marisa
(Mah-ree-sa)
* She/Her
My path to this work wasn’t linear — it was lived.
I’ve led teams through change, held space for difficult conversations, and wrestled with what it means to stay true when systems fail us.
As a woman and leader, I’ve witnessed how easily we trade authenticity for approval—and how powerfully things shift when we stop performing and start leading from our wholeness.
Today, I help women leaders and mission-driven organizations do just that: return to themselves, clarify their vision, and lead with heart and integrity.
It’s serious work, yes—but also filled with laughter, lightness, and the deep joy that comes when we remember what really matters.
“My work is shaped by decades in both for-profit and nonprofit leadership, by a commitment to racial equity and inclusion, and a belief that courageous leadership begins with inner alignment.”
my values
Integrity. Leading from truth, not performance.
Courage. Acting even when the outcome is uncertain.
Racial Equity. Dismantling systemic harm and building spaces where every voice is seen, valued, and empowered.
Compassion. Meeting ourselves and others with grace.
Community. Leadership is a relational act—we rise together.
Wholeness. Our humanity isn’t a distraction from leadership — it’s the source of it.
Joy. Because transformation thrives in laughter, lightness, and genuine connection.
my approach
My approach blends emotional intelligence, somatic awareness, and evidence-based coaching tools. I draw from training in Trauma-Informed Care, Embodied Leadership, and ICF-accredited Evidence-Based Coaching to help clients integrate insight with action.
Every coaching relationship begins with you — your story, your body’s wisdom, your goals, and your leadership identity.
Together, we build practices that allow you to lead and live from your most grounded, powerful self.
My work is equal parts reflection and rigor — spacious enough for healing, structured enough for real transformation, and always open to moments of laughter and celebration along the way.
Credentials & training
Marisa holds a Master’s Certificate in Evidence-Based Coaching from Fielding Graduate University (ICF-accredited) and certification as an Integrative Life Coach from the Ethical Coaching Collective.
She has completed additional training in Somatics and Embodiment and studied Ancestral and Collective Healing with Thomas Hübl.
Her academic background includes degrees from UC Berkeley (BA) and Antioch University (MFA). Marisa also has training in the principles of Trauma-Informed Care.