Meet Marisa

Marisa is the founder of Szem-Szem Consulting, Inc., a firm focused on producing results by providing transformative development experiences. With a passion for learning, leadership, and neuroscience, Marisa brings three decades of experience working with companies to develop leaders, expand organizational capabilities, transform teams, and build organizational culture to drive high levels of performance and deliver desired business results.

Having experienced firsthand the value of courageous leadership, Marisa specializes in developing leaders who exercise managerial courage. Leaders gain confidence to ask the questions no one else will ask, to do the right thing, even when it is unpopular, and to have brave conversations.

Marisa’s exceptional ability to read, understand and connect with individuals, teams, and organizational dynamics are second to none and her holistic view when working with organizations allows her to create learning environments for rapid behavioral change and lasting impact. An engaging advisor with a sense of humor and genuine humility, Marisa’s caring, curious, and courageous nature lend themselves to unparalleled results for her clients.

Prior to establishing Szem-Szem Consulting, Inc., Marisa was the Senior Director of Learning and Talent Development for the Americas at Hilton Hotels Corporation, leading an international team that supported the workforce needs of 50,000 team members.

Marisa’s certifications include:

  • Certified in Brain-Based Coaching
  • Korn Ferry’s 360 tool – VOICES
  • Korn Ferry’s talent identification tool – CHOICES
  • Emergenetics
  • Essi System’s Emotional Intelligence
  • Master Facilitator: Achieve Global
  • Master Facilitator: Partners in Leadership Accountability Training Program

Marisa holds a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Rhode Island. Additional coursework includes the completion of the graduate-level course entitled “Being a Leader and the Effective Exercise of Leadership: An Ontological/Phenomenological Model” at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Marisa has been recognized for her expertise, having been invited to deliver keynote speeches in the technology and quality industries. She was also the recipient of the 2018 Innovation and Leadership Award from the Society of Diversity for her “Leading an Inclusive Environment” training program.

Outside of work, Marisa loves being with her husband and two sons, cooking, baking, hiking, cycling, going to yoga, and traveling.