Marie Whitley
Marie Whitley is a dynamic senior account executive and trusted technology advisor serving the Washington DC–Baltimore metropolitan area. With over a decade of progressive experience across SaaS, enterprise sales, and customer success, she currently partners with local governments and educational institutions at Optimal Networks, Inc. to streamline operations and deliver innovative, mission-driven technology solutions. Marie’s approach blends consultative strategy with a deep understanding of public-sector priorities, helping organizations create lasting impact for their constituents, students, and staff.
Throughout her career, Marie has built a reputation as a high-performing, solutions-focused sales leader—consistently exceeding revenue goals and driving measurable outcomes. At Optimal Networks, she has achieved 175% of her annual recurring revenue target, managed multimillion-dollar pipelines, and introduced advanced GTM frameworks that improved win rates and forecasting accuracy. Her earlier roles at Cision, CoStar Group, and The Morgan Connection honed her expertise in enterprise SaaS growth, client retention, and strategic market positioning, while reinforcing her belief in the power of authentic relationships and data-driven decision-making.
Beyond her professional success, Marie is deeply committed to community engagement and lifelong learning. A proud alumna of Norfolk State University and holder of a Master’s degree in Cybersecurity from UMUC, she plans to pursue an MBA to further expand her leadership impact. She actively supports causes such as animal welfare, civil rights, and veteran support, and enjoys exploring new places through travel, museums, and food tours. A black belt in Taekwondo, Marie exemplifies discipline, determination, and balance—qualities that define both her professional excellence and her personal journey toward empowering others through technology and service.
• Tech Recruitment Certified Professional
• Certified Consultative Sales Professional
• Notary Public
• Norfolk State University - BA
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a combination of faith, family, and hard work, along with a willingness to accept constructive criticism and learn from it. Growing up with parents who overcame poverty and segregation taught me the true meaning of resilience, excellence, and self-discipline from an early age. These lessons shaped my character and continue to guide me today. I rely on grit, adaptability, and emotional intelligence to navigate and thrive in male-dominated environments, always striving to lead with integrity and purpose.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received came from my father, who always told me, “Plan your work, and work your plan.” That simple yet powerful guidance has stayed with me throughout my career. It reminds me to be intentional, stay organized, and remain disciplined in pursuing my goals—no matter the challenges along the way.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to always maintain grace and never feel the need to compete based on appearance—lead with intellect, character, and diligence. Be prepared to work three to five times harder than your peers, and let your effort and excellence speak for themselves. Find a mentor you trust who can offer guidance and perspective as you grow in your career. Never underestimate the importance of technical skills like Excel; competence is one of the most powerful ways to stand out. And above all, protect your reputation—don’t burn bridges, because the professional world is smaller than it seems. Continue to network, learn, and invest in your personal and professional development.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is the continued lack of women—especially women of color—in leadership roles within tech sales. Biases in hiring and promotion still persist, and being underestimated in male-dominated meetings or negotiations can be a recurring experience. However, these challenges also highlight significant opportunities. The tech industry is booming, with an increasing demand for sales roles that are resilient to automation and AI disruption. Public sector contracts are expanding, particularly with a growing emphasis on cybersecurity and cloud services. Most encouragingly, there’s a rising recognition and appreciation for women in tech leadership, creating space for greater representation and impact.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me in both my work and personal life are honesty, integrity, grace under pressure, and determination. I believe in staying true to my word, maintaining professionalism even in challenging situations, and approaching every task with purpose and focus. Being goal-oriented and solution-driven helps me navigate complex challenges, while humility keeps me grounded and open to learning. These principles not only define how I lead but also how I connect with others and create meaningful impact in everything I do.
Locations
Optimal Networks, Inc.
Lake Ridge, VA 22192