Consulting Services

“Inclusion isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a critical driver of innovation. We were fortunate enough to have Marilou McFarlane lead a session on, “Culture Matters: Inclusion Drives Innovation.” The insights shared through this session deeply inspired our leaders and employees alike, and more importantly it raised awareness of the challenges women and others currently underrepresented continue to face in the Sports Tech industry. 

Marilou moderated a panel and through this conversation, we heard authentic experiences, real-world examples, and learned actionable takeaways on fostering a more inclusive workplace. Marilou's deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities surrounding workplace culture gave us a fresh perspective on how inclusion directly impacts business success. Beyond the session, Marilou has helped many companies, including ours, tap into incredible talent through her extensive network. 

I highly recommend Marilou to any organization looking for a subject-matter expert who can deliver a complex message with authenticity and warmth. She empowers teams to harness the power of inclusion to drive both in innovation and long-term success.”

- Sharn Dhami, VP People and Operations, GameChanger

Speaking Engagements*

  • “Culture Matters: Inclusion Drives Innovation”: One hour, virtual or in-person

    • Big Picture

      Nearly 70% of top tech talent turns over every 1-2 years, costing a business as much as 2x the employee’s annual salary in losses. Retention is crucial for any organization’s long term success. Focus on culture improves employee’s productivity and tenure on the job. The best employees today have many options, demanding focus on culture and inclusivity initiatives not as a preference, but as a a requirement. 

    • Why This Matters

      Diverse and inclusive teams generate more revenue and higher profits, with higher retention rates of top talent.

      This informal, engaging, educational conversation provides specific take-aways, is interactive and authentic, and provides curated current research and information coupled with 20+ years of lived experiences in corporate and startup worlds and mentoring top talent. Agenda includes:

      • Demystifying DEI and defining biases

      • Exploring the business case for more inclusive cultures

      • Recruitment, hiring and retention best practices

      • Recognizing and dealing with micro-aggressions

      • Becoming an ally, sponsor, and/or mentor

      • Resources for further learning and development

  • “Welcome to the Wonderful World of Sports Tech”: One hour, virtual or in-person

    • Sports Tech is exploding into a $42B industry by 2026 and is defined very broadly, as every role in the sports business is powered by technology.

    • Learn about career opportunities in all categories of sports tech:

      • Athlete Performance: Apparel, Equipment, Footwear & Data Tracking Wearables

      • Athlete, Team & Event Management Platforms

      • Digital Media

      • Esports & Gaming

      • Fan & Sponsor Experience

      • Fantasy Sports & Betting

      • Sports Properties: Teams & Leagues

      • Stadium & Venue Innovation

Startup Growth

  • Advisory work with Seed, Series A and B stage startups specializing in:

    • Brand development, messaging and marketing strategy

    • Business modeling including pricing and go to market

    • Investor presentations and introductions

    • B2B Enterprise SaaS sales coaching

Fractional C-suite

  • Leadership in marketing and brand building (CMO)

  • Culture enhancement and inclusivity coaching (CCO)

  • Business development, sales coaching and strategic partnerships (CRO)

  • Student internship program development and management

*Speaker Requests

Interested in Marilou speaking with your team or at an upcoming event? Please submit the form here.