Lead with consciousness.
Transform systems.
Change the story.
Get better results.
Whether you’re a CEO, senior executive, policymaker, academic or manager, you’re responsible for more than performance.
You’re shaping cultures, policies, evidence, evaluation, and stories that affect whole communities and sectors.
Work with me to re-imagine and re-design how your organisation leads, decides, communicates and measures results so you can create deep, lasting, meaningful change in complex systems through intentional, conscious practices.
About Me
I’m Marisa
PhD, MSc, BA
I’m a visionary strategist and mentor, changemaker, academic, award-winning author, journalist and broadcaster, who initiates and leads multi-million pound projects with diverse stakeholders across local, national, and international settings.
With 20+ years of experience across the globe and a strong research and teaching background at a university consistently ranked among the world’s top, my work leads to tangible policy and practice shifts, leadership and systemic change, and integrated service improvement in companies, governments, charities, philanthropy, grassroots organisations, communities and individuals.
Advising, consulting, leading and presenting at worldwide institutions, governments and educational organisations is one of my passions. I’ve supervised and mentored around 50 post-graduates to Masters and Doctorate level across a range of disciplines, including influential directors and managers seeking their next professional edge.
20+
Years of Experience
£6
Million Raised
250+
Collaborators
150+
People Trained and Mentored
What I offer
What I offer
Inspired by leading evidence-based and practice-led systems‑change and CEO programmes, I combine deep leadership work with practical system‑change tools.
Transformational leadership journeys
One‑to‑one work that helps you shift how you see, decide and act, so you can lead through uncertainty with clarity and courage.
Systems change labs
Structured processes to understand your system, co‑create new solutions with partners, and test them in practice.
Strategy and operating model design
Support to build strategies, structures and ways of working that fit complex realities rather than simple charts.
Policy and narrative support
Help to align your positions, partnerships and media presence so your public voice matches your values and strategy.
Capability building and mentoring
Practical tools, peer learning and ongoing mentoring to embed new habits and skills across your leadership team.
Your Journey
What working together looks like
01
Diagnostic: See the System
02
Your Upgrade: Leadership and Consciousness Shift
03
Align Story, Policy and Partnerships
04
Embed New Habits and Capabilities
05
The Reset: Review, Integrate and Look Ahead
Is this service for you?
Three ways of knowing if this service is for you
You’re accountable for a system‑level challenge
Such as food and other fast-moving consumer goods, population health, social care, climate, education, creative health, poverty – and know it cannot be solved by your organisation alone.
You want to be the change, you want to see in the world
You’re ready to question your own assumptions and patterns, not just those of others.
Ready for expanded awareness
You want a partner who understands both the inner work of leadership and the outer work of strategy, policy and media.
Things people have said about my service
Marisa has broad work and life experience across very different industries. She never ceases to impress me with her unique insights. She provides the positive friction to transform my mindset, developed over many years in my industry to a more visionary one. Time well spent!
Global Packaged Goods, Vice-President
Dear Marisa… I keep mentioning your work to people and have been wondering how your plans have progressed since we last spoke. I’d love to catch up sometime and hear about it. I also hope you won’t mind me introducing you to [X, Founder and CEO of X], who we have been supporting for many years… I think you would both find much in common. X is an Obama Fellow and all round superstar, and I’m sure he will be inspired by your brilliant work.
Director at a Leading UK Research and Innovation Foundation
Marisa’s a positive and energetic person to work with lots of ideas that she effectively translates into projects, connections and actions. Marisa works well with others, is positive and encouraging, collaborative and supportive…. The ethics around the value of her work is important … She is my “go to” person for planning and generating ideas and creating energy to make things happen.
Professor and Therapist at a leading UK University, Director of Research Centres, Project Lead on Multiple Multi-Million Pound Projects
… [this applied research, practice, policy programme led by Marisa] is rated 90-100%… excellent… exceptional… [it will] advance current understanding, to generate new knowledge and thinking…. [it is] timely and exciting
Review Panel at Major National Funder reviewing a £30 million investment
Marisa’s constantly demonstrated amazing leadership and management. I’ve always felt her deeply invested in the personal and professional development of those she works with; she takes time to learn about each colleague’s career aspiration and research interests, and tailors her mentoring to support their growth. One of Marisa’s best qualities is her approachability. She treats each person, regardless of their role or seniority, with the same respect and kindness. It’s difficult to not feel welcome in her team and this leadership style has fostered an open and inclusive environment where colleagues and team members feel at ease voicing thoughts and concerns.
Project Manager for National Government Multi-Million Pound Funded Research Programme
… [what a] wonderful and inspired course (I am still fizzing from the energy in the room and conversation!)… My colleagues and I were so incredibly impressed with the class, the caliber of the dialogue, and Marisa’s leadership of this. It was inspiring.
Dean at a European University
Wow. Where to start… well… with a huge thank you… I have to say, while listening to you speak (and drinking my tea) I was not expecting to have the emotional and physical reaction that I did. What you are doing, and your presence today resonated so deeply with me. Thank you for your dedication and energy in this area. You are trail blazing; it is inspirational.
Research Fellow at a National Government Policy and Research Collaboration
I have been a keen follower of your work for the past years…. (your writing sits right next to my computer for morning inspiration!). When my colleagues came to me with the idea of putting together a panel for a [major UK event], I immediately thought it would be great if we could invite you to join us. My colleagues agreed… As promised, I have been looking for funding opportunities that would allow us to collaborate and take forward the exciting conversation… I am now finally reaching out with an idea…
Research Director for a National Centre
Your Next Step
Don’t Know What To Start With?
If working in partnership with me speaks to the kind of leader you’re becoming, the simplest way to start is a confidential conversation focused on one real challenge you’re facing now.
In that call, we’ll clarify your current system, the key shifts available to you, and how working together is the right move—for you, your organisation and the wider system you serve.