Empowerment

Transforming Lives Through Coaching and Empowerment

Stylish desk setup with a laptop, lamp, and framed quote for motivation.

Years of Experience

Participants reporting increased confidence

Who We Are

Empowering Individuals and Organizations for Lasting Change

Empowered Minds Collective emerged from the vision of two experienced educators who recognized the need for equitable and inclusive practices in education. Since its inception, EMC has focused on empowering individuals and organizations, driving impactful change and supporting community development throughout the nation.

Since its foundation, EMC has excelled in providing transformative coaching and consulting services to public charter schools, nonprofits, and education agencies nationwide. Our efforts have significantly improved educational equity in communities, empowering them with the tools needed for sustainable change and growth.

Meet Our Founders

Meet

Kaytie Brissenden-Smith

Kaytie Brissenden-Smith is a committed educator and school leader from San Francisco whose work spans across the U.S., supporting educators and education systems in advancing equity, access, and meaningful learning. With experience in teaching, school administration, coaching, and facilitation, she brings a strong foundation in both instructional practice and systems-level change.

Kaytie holds a double major in Child Development and Afro Latin Literature from Mills College and is certified in Equity and Inclusion. She has led school-based and cross-regional initiatives focused on inclusive leadership, professional learning, and culturally responsive practices. Her work is grounded in a deep belief in educational equity and a drive to build environments where all educators and learners can thrive.

Meet

Marissa McGee

Marissa McGee has spent her career in communities that have been historically underserved due to systemic inequities. She taught early childhood in Washington, D.C. While there, she also served as a Parent Advocate at DCSRN where she helped families identify schools that aligned with their wants and needs for their children. In 2016, she was featured in a special NPRed series that highlighted 50 great teachers.

Before serving as a Coordinator of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Marissa worked as a Program Consultant at New Teacher Center. Marissa holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a focus on Social Stratification and Inequality, and a Master of Arts in Elementary Education from Stanford University, where she previously served as a lecturer. She is also the author of Free the Curls, a book that she hopes will inspire children to be changemakers.

Ready to do the work that actually changes things?

Whether you’re a school, district, or organization, we’d love to learn about your team and explore what’s possible together.

book a call