About

After receiving her undergraduate degree from U.C. Berkeley, Masters in Higher Education Administration from the University of Michigan, and initial faculty appointment at the University of Virginia, founder MaryAlice McNeil began her career as a Management Consultant for Bank of America.

In the years following, she accepted a position as an Associate Professor of Leadership Communication at Saint Mary’s College of California where she taught for over 30 years and was eventually named the Executive MBA Program Director in 2023.

Throughout her accomplished career as an educator, MaryAlice has pursued her passion for training and mentoring professionals through her company, McNeil Learning & Development Strategies. With past students and clients located throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia, all belonging to a variety of corporations, non-profits, and higher education institutions, MaryAlice’s influence as a mentor is truly unique.

She continues to share her breadth of experience as a keynote speaker, professor, coach, and private consultant with McNeil Learning & Development Strategies

“You can be the smartest person in the room, but if you haven’t developed your ability to communicate your point effectively or earn the attention of your peers as a leader, your intelligence will only get you so far.”

— Founder, MaryAlice McNeil