Marie Ayala

About Marie Ayala

Let’s be real.You can have the most sophisticated roadmap or SOP in the world, but if the people behind it are burnt out or confused, the program won\'t move an inch. 🤷‍ For the last 13+ years, I’ve sat at the intersection of ambitious operations and intentional leadership. My specialty? Taking highly motivated teams through the messy, high-stakes \"in-between\" of growth, change, and transformation. I don\'t just build systems; I build the culture that makes those systems actually work. What I’m obsessed with:• Leading multi-level and cross-functional humans with trust, care, conviction, and eliminating the unwanted noise; it’s about having a NORTH STAR that everyone from the “upper room” offices to the frontline can see. I bridge the gap between HR, Tech, and Ops to make sure strategy actually turns into reality. • I don’t manage headcount; I invest in PEOPLE. I spot the talent and we tag-team to build their launchpad through intentional developmental plans and establishing clear-as-day feedback loops. Nothing brings me more joy than helping people take the leap from where they are to where they want to be. • I love CHANGE. And we can make change happen without chaos—whether it’s a massive system rollout or a total process redesign, I lead with empathy, transparency, and spunk. I make sure that during big shifts, people feel supported, not just \"processed.\" My style…Disciplined but not rigid. Strategic but highly flexible. I’m here to play chess with calculated risks, deliver results that look great on a spreadsheet, and quarterbacking get-it-done teams that are actually excited to roll up their sleeves, get scrappy with me, and have fun while doing it! More about me… Enneagram 6 - The Loyalist CliftonStrengths: Strategic, Arranger, Responsibility, Individualization, Woo

Experience

1. Manager, Learning & Development Programs

   TownSq

   Feb 2026 — Present

Education

• University of North Texas

  Communication, General

  2009 — 2010

• Dallas College

  Mass Communication

  2006 — 2008