Dr. Marissa Layton
Dr. Marissa Layton is a highly accomplished business coach, organizational strategist, and nonprofit leader based in Atlanta, Georgia. She specializes in helping purpose-driven leaders, entrepreneurs, and organizations bridge the gap between vision and execution through strategy, structure, and leadership development. With over a decade of experience spanning corporate consulting, nonprofit leadership, and executive coaching, Marissa has worked with Fortune 1000 companies, faith-driven entrepreneurs, and high-performing professionals to achieve measurable results while staying aligned with their values and purpose.
Marissa founded Next Level Consulting in 2017, where she led a team delivering enterprise-level solutions, developing leaders, and optimizing operations for mid-to-large organizations. Over the years, she transitioned her focus toward small business coaching, mentoring solopreneurs to scale profitable, sustainable businesses while maintaining purpose and well-being. In addition, she serves as a Senior Strategy Consultant at Insperity, helping organizations improve operational efficiency, strengthen culture, and execute strategic initiatives with measurable impact.
In her nonprofit work, Marissa serves as Director of Strategy & Programs for Healing Hearts Healing Homes, where she designs programs and leadership curricula to empower youth, strengthen families, and build thriving communities. A recognized thought leader and advocate for economic empowerment, she emphasizes visibility, access, and mentorship, especially for women of color navigating entrepreneurship. Her approach combines strategic rigor, practical insight, and a heart-centered philosophy that prioritizes integrity, measurable outcomes, and lasting impact.
• Change Management Specialist
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace
• Regent University- Doctorate
• Regent University- M.A.
• Clark Atlanta University- B.A.
• Elite Minority Leader
• Honored as one of the Women of the Year
• Spirit of Greatness
• Miss Junior Court
• Outstanding Sophomore
• Miss Bonner Office of Community Service Court
• Dean's Scholar
• Ronald McDonald African American Achiever
• G.U.I.D.E.S.
• NAACP, CAU Chapter
• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated
• Clark Atlanta University Student Government Association
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to continuous learning—pursuing my doctorate, earning ongoing certifications, and staying current through reading, webinars, and conferences.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women entering coaching to build verifiable expertise, earn credentials, and always lead with integrity to stand out in a crowded field.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in coaching right now is standing out in a crowded field where social media can amplify unverified expertise, making it harder for credentialed practitioners to be recognized. At the same time, there’s a huge opportunity to create nonprofit-backed programs and incubators that provide structured support for millennial entrepreneurs and expand meaningful impact.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity and honesty guide everything I do, both professionally and personally, while I also prioritize family, friendships, and enjoying life through shared meals, board games, and visits to wineries.