Welcome to GAIA

Hello,

GAIA is a women’s network designed for tangible growth and genuine connections. Our mission is to bring together senior executive women in a high-calibre, supportive community. Each member is carefully vetted to ensure you are part of a network that truly elevates you.

Upon approval of your application, you’ll join a specially curated peer group. These groups meet monthly for two hours, blending executive learning with collaborative problem-solving, and you’ll also receive one-to-one coaching. Together, we address each other's challenges and opportunities, fostering mutual growth.

After a long career in banking and building my own business, I realised the immense value of strong connections. I want to make it easier for other women to build these invaluable networks. Having a community that genuinely wants to help is everything—you don’t know what you don’t know until you have that support.

GAIA offers a unique blend of executive learning, one-to-one coaching, and a personal board of advisors, empowering you to:

  • Lead with confidence

  • Advance your career

  • Build valuable connections that open doors

Thank you for being part of this incredible journey! xx

What is GAIA?

GAIA is a network of small peer groups, specially curated to ensure diversity of thought and industry. These groups act as your personal peer advisory board, providing a platform for us to learn together, challenge each other, and help resolve issues, opportunities, and challenges.

We recognise that some one-to-one focus is also required, hence we use a 360-degree approach, combining peer groups, executive one-to-one coaching, and wider networking experiences.

Why GAIA?

What differentiates GAIA is a deep sense of community. By meeting regularly and maintaining the same group members, we build a strong foundation of trust and understanding. Our curriculum is tailored to the specific needs of each group, ensuring that every session is relevant and impactful. Some things are better discussed one-to-one, and that’s why we also have one-to-one coaching and opportunities for peer groups to mix at wider events. After all, it isn’t just what you know, it’s who you know.

Join GAIA and become part of a powerful network where women leaders come together to support each other, grow, and lead with confidence and impact.

Schedule a consultation

About Marisa

Hello,

Nice to meet you - thank you for visiting GAIA.

A little bit about me – on a personal note, like many, I am an expat living in Dubai. I am married, with a dog called Frank and an almost 3-year-old called Paloma. I love it here and am super grateful to be able to mix with people from such diverse cultures and backgrounds. So much so that I created GAIA.

Formerly a Managing Director in Finance, serving as a Regional COO for HSBC, Middle East. After having a baby in 2021, I realised how lucky I’d been before and just how many barriers there are for women to succeed in leadership. In 2022, I left and set up my own executive coaching and consultancy business, focused on supporting diverse talent to thrive and overcome obstacles and challenges.

When I started on my own, I thought getting clients would be easy. After all, I was well-known in the industry. However, I quickly realised my network was limited to banking. It was a challenging period – at times I felt tempted to take the easy route back. It took significant effort to build an entirely new network, not just of contacts, but of trusted relationships. Now, I recognise the immense value of a diverse peer group and genuine support.

As the Founder of GAIA, I focus on empowering women to bridge this gap and avoid this struggle. We provide senior leaders with a carefully vetted peer group, executive coaching, and executive learning. Working with me means leveraging my extensive leadership experience and strategic insights to develop clear visions, effectively lead teams, and propel your career forward.

GAIA is dedicated to delivering real, measurable results for women. Whether you're looking to build confidence, set boundaries, change careers, or connect with a network that links you to your next role, GAIA provides the support and resources you need to succeed.

Looking forward to meeting you in person.

Love Marisa xx