I’m Marisa (PhD, MSc, BA)

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

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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. 

 

I’ve devised and led courses in Mentoring & Coaching, Language & Communication, Health Management, Identity & Experience, Use of Data & Information in Service Improvement, Contemporary Issues in Service Improvement & Information Use, Mentoring & Coaching for Service Change across Organisational Boundaries, Personalisation & Outcomes, and Information & Analysis for Service Improvement.

Who I Work With

I partner with people who carry real system‑level responsibility including:

CEOs and C‑suite leaders steering organisations through major change, growth or crisis.

Coalitions, alliances and funders who need alignment across many actors and interests.

Senior public‑sector and charity leaders working on health, education, care, climate, creative, cultural and other systems.

Academic and policy leaders shaping evidence, economics, regulation and public debate.

What My Clients Says

Global Packaged Goods, Vice-President

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!

Director at a Leading UK Research and Innovation Foundation

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.

Professor and Therapist at a leading UK University, Director of Research Centres, Project Lead on Multiple Multi-Million Pound Projects

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.

Review Panel at Major National Funder reviewing a £30 million investment

… [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

Project Manager for National Government Multi-Million Pound Funded Research Programme

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.

Dean at a European University

… [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.

Research Fellow at a National Government Policy and Research Collaboration

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 Director for a National Centre

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…

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