We recently had the privilege of interviewing Marissa Cherepanov, the Visionary CEO of No Girl Left Behind (NGLB), a movement dedicated to advancing women in leadership and business. With mentorship, training sessions, and large-scale empowerment events, Marissa is on a mission along with her business partner, Kiki Rozema, to equip women with the right tools and confidence to break barriers. She even partners with organizations in driving brand expansion and inclusive leadership initiatives. Recognizing her exceptional contributions, Marissa has been awarded as one of the Top 500 Global Leaders by Brainz Magazine in 2024, and the “Woman of Empowerment” award by P.O.W.E.R.
A published author, columnist, keynote speaker, and visionary leader, Marissa Cherepanov is shaping the future of female leadership and driving a global impact.
The Beginning
We started the interview by asking, “Could you share some background about yourself, including your early life and educational journey?”
Marissa shared, “My journey has been far from conventional, and that’s precisely what shaped my mission today. I was tried as an adult at 17, and labeled a homeless felon by 18. But instead of letting my past define me, I used it as fuel. I spent over a decade rebuilding—from surviving trauma and addiction to climbing the corporate ladder.
I eventually led multi-million-dollar territories across the Pacific Northwest and managed global brands like Astound, Express, Chico’s FAS, and Swarovski. I later added motivational speaking, nonprofit leadership, and coaching to help other women rise above their circumstances. My education has been both formal and experiential—earning certifications in leadership and marketing while letting life serve as the most honest classroom of all.”
More about NGLB
Interested to learn more about the regional presence of Marissa Cherepanov’s company, we asked her to share about her company and its role in the region.
“I’m the CEO and visionary of No Girl Left Behind (NGLB), a global female empowerment movement that creates transformational experiences for women and girls ages 9 and up. We host empowerment events across North America that blend leadership development, self-worth workshops, mentorship, and hands-on community engagement.
What makes NGLB unique is our ongoing support—our relationship with attendees doesn’t end when the event wraps. We offer continued mentorship, career coaching, and a growing digital community to ensure no girl walks her journey alone. Whether we’re in a local community center or a major venue, our presence ignites leadership, healing, resilience, and female empowerment,” explained Marissa.
What makes a Successful Leader
To gather Marissa Cherepanov’s perspective on leadership, we asked, “In your view, what qualities define a successful leader in your industry?”
She mentioned, “In this space, a successful leader leads from both strategy and soul. You need vision, of course—but also empathy, humility, and resilience. You have to be unafraid to disrupt outdated systems, stand boldly in your truth, and create space for others to rise. Emotional intelligence is non-negotiable. So is the ability to listen, collaborate, and adapt quickly in a fast-evolving world. In my experience, the most powerful leaders are those who don’t just take the stage—they bring others onto it with them.”
Adaptability to Technological Advancements
We further asked, “How has your organization adapted to the ongoing digital revolution and technological advancements?”
“Digital transformation has been critical in scaling our impact. We’ve built an online ecosystem that allows our message and mentorship to reach beyond physical events—through digital workbooks, leadership courses, live coaching, and video storytelling. We leverage social media to connect in real time with our audience and use automation tools to streamline outreach, event registration, and post-event support. Most importantly, we are developing an online hub that allows our attendees to stay plugged into resources, mentorship, and a sisterhood that reinforces their growth long after the applause fades. Technology is how we make our global mission local—and deeply personal,” she mentioned.
Words of Wisdom for Beginners
Addressing the aspiring professionals, we asked Marissa Cherepanov, “What advice would you offer to someone beginning their career in your field?”
“Lead with purpose, not perfection. This work requires heart, grit, and an unwavering belief that your voice matters. You don’t need a flawless resume to make an impact—what you need is clarity in your why and consistency in your execution. Surround yourself with mentors. Study leadership. Get comfortable being uncomfortable, because growth will demand it. And most importantly—never underestimate the power of your story. The very thing you thought might disqualify you could be the catalyst that changes someone else’s life,” Marissa added.
To learn more, follow Marissa Cherepanov on LinkedIn and visit her website https://inspirewithmarissa.com/
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