Empty green chalkboard with visible chalk marks and smudges.

Designing Experiences that Spark Creativity, Clarity & Connection.

Partnering with leaders, educators, and teams to bring ideas to life—through coaching, facilitation, and creative strategy.

About

Hi, I’m Mari —founder of Creative Thought Partners, creativity consultant, executive coach, and educator.

For over a decade, I’ve been helping leaders, educators, and organizations unlock creative confidence and bring bold ideas to life. As a longtime professional faculty member at the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, I’ve taught courses on design thinking, creativity, innovation, and leadership to undergraduates, MBAs, and executives from around the world.

My work blends a background in architecture and design with deep expertise in behavioral science and human-centered research. I’m passionate about how people learn, change, and grow—and I design experiences that spark reflection, insight, and action.

Whether I’m co-creating a curriculum, facilitating a team retreat, or coaching a founder, I draw on principles of emotional intelligence, adaptive resilience, and creative problem-solving to meet people where they are and help them move forward with clarity.

Through 1:1 coaching, strategic facilitation, and custom curriculum design, I serve as a thought partner to help people and teams think differently, lead more intentionally, and design experiences that truly matter.

Let’s co-create what’s next—together.

Smiling woman with curly dark hair wearing a black button-up shirt.

Consulting Services

At Creative Thought Partners, I offer strategic support through coaching, facilitation, and experience design—whether you’re leading a team, designing a course, or bringing a bold idea to life. Each service is rooted in creativity, emotional intelligence, and human-centered thinking.

For custom consulting, curriculum design, or retreats, I offer project-based pricing tailored to your goals and scope.


Let’s connect to explore what’s possible.

A person in a business suit with a vintage meat grinder as a head, spewing out colorful words and phrases related to innovation, strategy, and creative thinking.

Creative Strategy & Experience Design Consulting

Thought partnership to bring your ideas to life—programs, retreats, initiatives, or experiences. I help you design with clarity, creativity, and intention so your vision lands with real impact.

A diverse group of people seated around a conference table in a modern office space, engaged in a meeting or discussion. Large windows with greenery outside, and orange and white walls with artwork.

Creative Facilitation & Team Workshops

Design and facilitation of engaging offsites, strategy sessions, and innovation labs.


Great for teams navigating change, seeking alignment, or exploring new ideas.

A graduation cap with a triangular tassel is placed on a high-tech digital circuit board background with glowing orange lines.

Educator & Facilitator Experience Design

Let’s reimagine your learning experiences. Together, we will co-design creative, human-centered curriculum that energizes your classroom or program—whether in higher ed, leadership development, or experiential education.

Empty auditorium with rows of orange and yellow seats facing a large blank screen in front, warm lighting, wooden wall panels, and a dark ceiling with recessed lights.

Speaking & Storytelling

Interactive keynotes and talks on creativity, leadership, and emotional intelligence in the age of AI. Available for retreats, events, and conferences.

A woman in a beige blazer holding a smartphone. The focus is on her hands and the phone, with blurred background and warm bokeh lights.

Executive Coaching

1:1 coaching to help leaders and change-makers cultivate creative confidence, emotional intelligence, and adaptive resilience.


Available in 3-month and 6-month programs.

Colorful paper puppets of diverse people standing in front of a leafy plant with red berries.

Creativity in Parenting (Coming Soon)

Workshops and coaching to help parents nurture their own creative emotional intelligence using my EI–AR framework.

Schedule a Free Intro

A black-and-white top-down photo of seven people engaging in a business meeting or collaborative discussion, with colorful overlapping circles in the background.

Curious about working together? Let’s connect.


Book a free 30-minute call to explore how Creative Thought Partners can support your goals—whether you're designing a new program, leading a team, or simply looking to spark more creativity in your work or life.

Creative Work Sessions

For those ready to dive in with clarity and intention. I can help you figure it out.

These sessions are designed for clients who know what they need—whether it’s creative strategy, curriculum design, or experience facilitation. Each package includes bonus time (1 extra hour free) so we have room to go deeper or follow up.

Three women smiling and clapping at a gathering indoors.

Clarity Session

1 Hour + 1 Free Hour

A focused deep-dive to explore your idea, challenge, or opportunity. Ideal for quick clarity, concept review, or brainstorming support.

Use in one 2-hour session or two 1-hour sessions.

Investment:

Standard Rate: $350

*Student and Educator Rates available with ID

A team working on a business plan, creating a flowchart with colorful sticky notes, paper icons, and illustrations on a large sheet of paper on a table. The sticky notes include words like Impact, Search Engine, Content, Who, Teamwork, and Money.

Creative Half-Day

3 Hours + 1 Free Hour

Great for co-designing a program, mapping out a project, or working through a team or teaching challenge.

Use as two 2-hour sessions or one full 4-hour block.

Investment:

Standard Rate: $850

*Student and Educator Rates available with ID

Messy office desk with colorful sticky notes, blurred computer monitors, and office supplies, with people working in the background.

Creative Immersion Day

6 Hours + 1 Free Hour

A full-day experience for major strategy sessions, curriculum sprints, or executive visioning.

Use as two 3.5-hour sessions or one immersive 7-hour day (with breaks).

Investment:

Standard Rate: $1,800

*Student and Educator Rates available with ID

Pre-session Intake Form & Prep Review: included in all packages | Follow-up Summary or Recording: optional add-on ($75) or included in Half-Day+ packages

Please note: Rates listed do not include travel or lodging fees for in-person sessions. If you'd like to bring a session or workshop to your location, additional travel costs will be discussed and agreed upon during scheduling.

Let’s Chat

Want to explore how we can work together?

Schedule a free 15-min intro call:
[Link to Calendly or Acuity]

Or fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly.

Email me: [hello@creativethoughtpartners.com]
Based in California, working globally