Hi, I’m Marie Carmel.
My Story
I didn’t step into leadership because I felt ready—I stepped into it because I knew something had to change.
Like many women, I learned early on how to work twice as hard, stay quiet to keep the peace, and carry more than my share without ever asking for support. I was praised for being reliable, strong, and adaptable… even when those same qualities were slowly exhausting me.For years, I thought leadership meant constantly proving myself. I thought I had to shrink parts of who I was to “fit” into spaces that weren’t built with me in mind. And even as I advanced professionally, something always felt misaligned. I knew there had to be another way to lead—one that didn’t require losing myself in the process.
My turning point came when I realized that confidence isn’t something we earn by overextending ourselves.
It’s something we reclaim by honoring our voice, our boundaries, and the wisdom we’ve carried all along.That realization changed everything.
I began studying leadership, coaching, communication, emotional intelligence, and the deeper internal patterns that shape how we show up. I invested in my own growth, learned how to navigate difficult conversations with clarity, and began leading from a grounded, authentic place rather than survival mode.
And when I saw how many women around me were struggling with the same barriers—feeling unseen, undervalued, overworked, or unsure how to step into their power—I knew this work wasn’t just personal.
It was a calling.Today, I help emerging women leaders build the confidence, clarity, and presence to lead without shrinking themselves or burning out. I believe leadership is not about becoming someone new—it’s about returning to who you’ve always been and trusting that you are enough as you rise.
This work is my passion because I’ve lived it.
And I’m committed to helping you lead from a place of truth, strength, and grounded self-belief—no matter the room you're standing in.
Supporting emerging women leaders to lead with grounded, authentic confidence—without shrinking who they are.
My Experience
Marie Carmel is a leadership coach dedicated to supporting emerging women leaders of color in stepping into their power with grounded, authentic confidence. She partners with women who are navigating the complexities of leadership—often as the “first,” the “only,” or one of few—and helps them lead with clarity, courage, and a deep sense of self-trust.
With a background spanning nonprofit leadership, coaching, mentorship, and personal development, Marie understands the unique pressures women of color face in professional environments. Her work centers on strengthening communication skills, elevating leadership presence, and building the confidence to speak truthfully and lead effectively—without shrinking one's identity or sacrificing well-being.
Marie’s coaching approach is both strategic and soulful. She combines practical leadership tools with intuitive guidance, helping her clients have the hard conversations, navigate power dynamics, give feedback with ease, and support their teams with compassion and clarity. At the heart of her work is a commitment to helping women reconnect to their inner wisdom, honor their boundaries, and lead from a place of wholeness rather than exhaustion.
Clients describe Marie’s coaching style as grounding, insightful, and deeply affirming. She creates a space where women feel seen, supported, and challenged in the best possible ways—inviting them to expand into the leaders they are meant to be.
Through her 1:1 coaching programs, workshops, and speaking engagements, Marie helps women leaders of color rise with presence, purpose, and confidence—leading not from who they think they “should” be, but from the truth of who they are
Professional Credentials & Coaching Background
Marie Carmel is a credentialed executive and leadership coach with over 20 years of professional leadership experience. She specializes in supporting women leaders, executives, and professionals who seek greater clarity, confidence, emotional intelligence, and values-aligned leadership.
Coaching Certifications & Credentials
Marie is an ICF-credentialed coach, holding the Associate Certified Coach (ACC) designation from the International Coaching Federation, the global gold standard for professional coaching. This certification reflects extensive training, supervised coaching experience, and adherence to a rigorous code of ethics.
She is also an iPEC Certified Professional Coach (CPC), trained in Core Energy Coaching™ and leadership development through the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching. Her work integrates mindset, emotional intelligence, and leadership presence to support sustainable personal and professional growth.
In addition, Marie is an Energy Leadership Index® Master Practitioner (ELI-MP), an advanced certification focused on attitudinal and energy-based leadership assessment. This specialization supports clients in understanding interpersonal dynamics, stress responses, leadership effectiveness, and emotional intelligence in both personal and workplace settings.
Education & Counseling Foundation
Marie holds a Master of Science in Education (MS.Ed.) in Guidance & Counseling, providing a strong foundation in human development, behavioral patterns, communication, and relational dynamics. This background allows her to partner skillfully with emotionally resourced clients while maintaining clear professional coaching boundaries.
Leadership & Professional Experience
With more than 20 years of leadership experience, Marie has led diverse teams within complex public-sector and organizational environments. Her background includes navigating organizational change, managing high-responsibility leadership roles, supporting team collaboration, and guiding decision-making in high-pressure systems.
This real-world leadership experience allows her to coach clients with both empathy and practical insight — bridging personal growth with professional effectiveness.
Coaching Philosophy & Approach
Marie’s coaching approach is:
Values-based and strengths-focused
Deeply personalized and client-centered
Grounded in emotional intelligence and leadership development
Designed to support clarity, resilience, and intentional action
Her work helps clients translate insight into sustainable behavior change, strengthen leadership presence, and align decisions with core values — both at work and in life.
The Heart of My Promise
I am here to help you lead in a way that feels aligned, powerful, and deeply true to who you are.
You don’t have to navigate leadership alone.
You don’t have to shrink to succeed.
You don’t have to burn out to be effective.
Together, we’ll build the confidence, clarity, and grounded presence that allow you to rise with both strength and ease.