Influential Woman · Mental Health, Education, Entrepreneurship & Music
Marlo S. Powell, M.S. LPC, CSP
School Psychologist; Licensed Professional Counselor & Entrepreneur, Aerial Roots LLC
Philadelphia, PA 19131
A client revealed he had been contemplating suicide before treatment, which he had hidden on intake forms. After 18 months of therapy, his transformation profoundly reshaped my perspective as a clinician.
Marlo S. Powell, M.S. LPC, CSP · In Her Own Words
Her Story
About Marlo
Marlo S. Powell, M.S., LPC, CSP, is a mental health and education professional with more than two decades of experience as a school psychologist and several years of experience providing individual counseling to adults. She has served with the School District of Philadelphia since 2004, supporting students and helping underprivileged youth access special education services and appropriate educational support. Her academic foundation includes a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Virginia State University and a Master of Science in School Psychology from Eastern University.
In addition to her career in school psychology, Powell is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Pennsylvania and the founder of Aerial Roots LLC, where she provides individual counseling services to adults specializing in anxiety, depression, PTSD, grief, and broader mental-health concerns. In 2022, following a period of profound personal adversity as a single mother of four, she aligned her personal journey with her clinical expertise to found Alchemy The Candle Collection. Built on the transformative power of fragrance, the brand delivers curated aromatic therapy designed to foster comfort, mindfulness, and restoration—one jar at a time.
Beyond mental health and education, Powell has maintained a professional connection to the music industry since 2018, currently serving as a Project Manager and A&R with Change The Game Entertainment. Her career reflects a distinctive combination of psychology, counseling, education, entrepreneurship, and music-industry experience.
Powell attributes much of her success to the strong support system provided by her family and the values they instilled in her, particularly integrity, excellence, compassion and resilience. Her perspective is deeply shaped by the realities she has witnessed in Philadelphia, including poverty, food insecurity, community violence, and the loss of children to violence. Emphasizing perseverance, knowing one's value, and prioritizing personal well-being, Powell remains committed to bringing advocacy, dedication, and diverse life experiences into every facet of her work with students and clients.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Marlo
01What do you attribute your success to?
My success is deeply rooted in the unwavering support of my family.
My parents and grandparents sacrificed so that I could build on a foundation rich in education, strong morals, spiritual grounding, and a profound respect for my roots and my lineage. They showed me that no goal is out of reach when backed by purpose and determination.
Today, I extend my most sincere gratitude to those who paved the way and invested in my journey—I am here because of their strength, guidance, and sacrifice. I am because they were.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received came from my grandmother, who always reminded me that the race is not to the swift, but to those who endure to the end.
In a professional world that often glorifies overnight success and rapid ascents, true longevity is built on grit. Sustainable careers aren't defined by how fast you sprint out of the gate, but by your capacity to navigate the inevitable pivots, unexpected roadblocks, and moments of self-doubt.
True career resilience means showing up when the project stalls, adapting when the industry shifts, and trusting that consistency outlasts raw speed every single time.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would urge young women to embrace a lifelong journey of self-discovery and remain steadfast in who they are. Staying anchored in your values and protecting your personal time are non-negotiable. You simply cannot pour into your work and/or others from an empty cup. Burnout is real, and honoring your own well-being is the true foundation of a lasting, impactful career.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the greatest challenges in mental health is the stigma surrounding mental-health care, particularly within the African American community. Mental-health concerns are also deeply connected to broader social challenges, including poverty, economic hardship, food insecurity, and community violence. In Philadelphia, violence and shootings have had a particularly painful impact, and over the years I have experienced the loss of children connected to these circumstances. These realities demonstrate how important accessible, compassionate, and culturally responsive mental-health support continues to be.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I value authenticity above all. I believe one of the greatest assets I bring to my clients is my authentic self, because genuine connection is essential to meaningful support. However, grounding my work, is a deep value for spiritual connection to a higher power, which fills my approach with purpose, compassion, and humility. I value education and the experiences that shape who we become—my personal and professional path continually influences the way I understand and connect with the people I serve.
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