MARIE GILL
Activator Builder
Connector
FLOURISHING FOCUSED
EXECUTIVE LEADER
COMMUNITY DRIVEN
I'm drawn to the work of connecting humans to technology building on a lifetime focus on elevating communities, developing leadership proficiency, and organization optimization. I am an activist for employee support and leadership accountability as well as a public speaker, startup entrepreneur, and business mentor.
I harness my superpowers to spark change and bring communities together making this world a better place for all.
FLOURISHING AT WORK
The survey results are in and sadly, not all of us at work are flourishing.
As we all know too well, the world is suffering and it goes without saying that as humans show up for work, their nonwork worlds show up with them. The complexities of humanity can’t be left at the door, but sadly, the ways of working and leadership are not enabled to support them.
I use data and science to unlock “how and why” to help employees. I focus on a flourishing framework that starts with assessing all employees and maps their well-being into seven domains of flourishing as outlined by Dr. Tyler VanderWeele’s work at the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard University.
Join me at the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard University where I lead and support the FLOURISHING AT WORK COMMUNITY of practice. You can also find me at the LinkedIn group of the same name. Meetings are monthly and all are welcome.
POWER OF COMMUNITY
Since incorporating and founding the Starbucks alumni organization, Green Apron Alliance in 2019, I built the largest, global community for Starbucks spanning over 20 countries and 13,000 members. Using volunteers passionate about supporting their fellow alumni, we had a track record of producing, executing, and delivering incredible content, meaningful resources, and uplifting hundreds of lives.
It was so easy to ask for volunteers – the benefits of giving and sharing time and talent were apparent to everyone.
I learned that the power of community has the potential to elevate and promote dreams. I know that our world is a happier and healthier place because we work and support each other.
STORYTELLING TO LAUNCH IDEAS
With the right narrative and insight, even the most boring of topics can come alive.
I love helping startups, inventors, and passionate people find their 'pitch' and 'hook' us with their ideas.
We all relish a good story and business success demands our mastery of this process.
Testimonials
I have known Marie for many years, from our days at Starbucks. Marie is the ultimate servant leader and connector. There are many great networkers, but I have never met anyone who truly connects with so many as authentically and with the depth of connection as Marie. Nothing shows this more than her work in starting the Green Apron Alliance (Starbucks Alumni Community).
Marie works tirelessly supporting mission-driven startups in developing their go-to-market strategies, marketing plans, and operations. Her passion to see organizations succeed is infectious.
Marie has always been a great sounding board who supports and challenges in a way that brings out the best in people or an organization. She is a role model of someone who lives her values every day.
Cary Kloster
Head of Marketing and Finance for multiple global brands
I don't often write effusive recommendations for people, but Marie deserves one.
I've been working with Marie for 5+ years on a number of corporate initiatives and honestly she's just one of those super gifted people you infrequently run across. She's a business-first thinker, extraordinarily creative and has a gift that allows her to distill and translate complicated concepts or products into simple and cogent ideas and statements.
Marie has the ability to connect dots from a product or service, to a business model, to a go-to-market strategy, to branding and messaging. Many people are good at one of these, but very few can effectively leap from one to the other, and more importantly, create synthesis among them.
Mike Dulworth
Founder / CEO Executive Networks
Author: The Connect Effect: Building Strong Personal, Professional and Virtual Networks, Corporate Learning: Proven and Practical Guidelines for Building a Sustainable Learning Strategy, and Strategic Executive Development: The Five Essential Investments
I have had the opportunity to work with Marie over the course of several years during which time Marie has been assigned a wide range of roles. She is a quick learner and has succeeded in every challenge thrown her way... with grace and good humor.
She is a collaborative and loyal team member with substantial expertise in brand positioning. While she has thrived working for a large company, several of projects were entrepreneurial in nature and she has demonstrated the skill set to thrive in a wide variety of business settings.
Her integrity is unimpeachable and she has shown leadership by example repeatedly: hard work, good results, investment in people development and community leadership. I always was happy when I was assigned to work on a project with Marie because I knew it would be professionally executed and an enjoyable experience.
Kira Druyan
MOD Pizza General Counsel
Marie sees clarity through mayhem and empowers teams to be better versions of themselves. Her critical thinking skills helped us take an honest look at our organization and define a strategy to optimize our time and resources to achieve our goals. Marie is always professional, reliable and responsive and continues to amaze her clients and peers alike with the amount of passion and self she dedicates to her work. Working with Marie is an honor and an opportunity to work smarter, while having more fun!
Patricia Gray
Community Relations Manager, Pike Place Market Foundation
I found Marie has the very unique ability to affect change and achieve results in chaotic situations and she excels in identifying creative as well as strategic solutions to help her achieve those results to the benefit of the company. She tackles her work with a passion and enthusiasm that is truly contagious.
I thoroughly enjoyed working with Marie and can give her only the highest of recommendations.
John Wuycheck
SVP of Development at Kahala Brands
ABOUT ME
I am passionate in truly evolving our new world. I am absolutely convinced that we should take advantage of every opportunity to not only solve issues for the future, but to innovate.
There is no more pressing imperative of our time - we need to help people flourish. Across all domains of humanity, the complexity of our world and the incredible challenges we face are making life incredibly hard. Particularly through the lens of ‘work’ and ‘community’, I use the power of science, technology and storytelling to bring the resources, tools and thought leadership to the actions required for human flourishing. I take innovative concepts, ideas, techniques of our time to market. I am the liaison between brilliant ideas & the entrepreneurs who make their way to market. I facilitate brilliance, finding a home in our every day lives. And I do it with passion, focus and principles. I have a deep toolkit for approaching tough business challenges and I love to sort through disparate pieces of information to quickly extract long-term solutions.
I have been recognized for my ability to be a strategic problem-solver, strong communicator and activator of organizations and relationships. I use my skills in storytelling and relationship building to support cross-functional leadership.
strengths
Communication – I find it easy to put my thoughts into words - I’m a good conversationalist and presenter. I bring stories to life which can help brands and businesses find their enthusiasts and fans.
Activator – I can make things happen by turning thoughts into action. I can’t sit still with a good idea – I put ideas into action and help bring everyone along with me.
Strategic – There is not just one answer to a problem, often, there might be several. I can quickly spot the relevant patterns and issues and help find solutions.
Arranger – I can organize, but I like to do it so I can optimize the pieces and resources in front of me for maximum productivity.
Woo – I love to dream big and excite others to see my vision. I use my strengths to stimulate personal and group excellence. I transform good things into something fantastic.