REF Northern Virginia

I lead a community of REF in Northern Virginia (NOVA). Our team of Forum Leaders helps progressive executives learn together in a confidential and trusted community. We provide Forum members continuous access to the collective intelligence of their peers, so they can make better decisions, scale their businesses, and grow as leaders.

Connie leads a Top Executive Forum for REF in Northern Virginia — bringing to every Forum meeting the rare combination of someone who teaches leadership and organizational behavior, writes extensively about those lessons, and has spent decades coaching leaders to apply their learnings.​

As a coach, Connie has worked with more than 1,500 executives and their teams. Known for asking powerful questions and listening intently, she transforms scattered thinking into compelling insights that drive action and deepen learning.

An acclaimed speaker and educator, Connie teaches at the intersection of theory and practice and helps students translate learning directly to the workplace. Her approach earned her recognition as a Favorite Professor at UVA's Darden School of Business.

Connie has published articles in Harvard Business Review, TD Magazine, and The FBI Bulletin. She authored a three-part series of leadership lessons for Forbes, drawing on the hit television series Ted Lasso. One piece, "Be Curious, Not Judgmental," has garnered nearly 72,000 views. 

She holds a doctorate in Human and Organizational Learning (George Washington University), an MBA (UVA Darden), and a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential from the International Coaching Federation.

I’m an ICF (International Coach Federation) credentialed Leadership and Executive Coach (PCC level), Instructor and Facilitator, and Program Manager with over 25 years of practical business, managerial, and leadership experience in Fortune 500 companies, such as IBM and Siemens. As a Forum Leader, I support executives through providing an opportunity to share challenges and best practices while leveraging the collective experience and expertise of the group for the purpose of self-development, growing the business and getting results.

Marlee is an experienced consultant, facilitator, and coach and has spent over 13 years working with government, nonprofits, and educational institutions.  She's passionate about developing people and building flourishing organizations.
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Having helped leaders in the federal government and social impact organizations tackle complex, organizational, and people challenges, she brings the right skill and perspective to help Forum members strengthen their leadership capacity.
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Marlee earned a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish and a Master’s degree in International Affairs from Texas A&M University. She is a certified coach and holds a certificate in Leadership Coaching for Organizational Wellbeing from George Mason University.