Who Is Dr. Marie S. Hall
Dr. Marie S. Hall is an educator, organizational leader, author, and nonprofit founder dedicated to developing people and strengthening communities through purpose-driven leadership. With a doctorate in organizational leadership and more than a decade of experience across K–12, higher education, and nonprofit sectors, she is widely recognized for her work in youth empowerment, leadership development, consulting, and educational innovation.
Leading with Grace: The Journey of Dr. Marie S. Hall
In a quiet corner of a bustling classroom years ago, a fifth-grade boy struggled against the weight of academic and behavioral challenges that threatened to define his future. While the system saw a set of problems to be managed, his teacher, Dr. Marie S. Hall, saw a young man capable of greatness. She didn’t just teach him; she championed him. Fast forward to a chance encounter years later, and that same boy now a man stopped Dr. Hall to tell her she was his favorite teacher. It wasn’t a specific lesson on history or math that stayed with him; it was the fact that she was the one person who took up for him.
“People won’t remember what you did or said, but they will remember how you made them feel.” This timeless wisdom from Maya Angelou is more than just a favorite quote for Dr. Hall; it is the heartbeat of her leadership philosophy. As the CEO and Founder of RubyMac Learning Academy and the visionary behind Myrtle Tree Publishing, Dr. Hall has dedicated her life to the intersection of education, empowerment, and organizational excellence. Her journey is a testament to the belief that when you lead with grace and integrity, you don’t just build organizations you build people.
Excellence and Integrity in Youngstown
Dr. Hall’s story began in Youngstown, Ohio, where she grew up as the youngest of eight siblings. In a household grounded in faith and a culture of service, she learned early on that leadership is not about a title, but about the spirit in which one works. Her mother provided the primary blueprint for her professional life, instilling a mandate that would become Dr. Hall’s personal standard: “It doesn’t matter what job or position you hold—what matters is doing the work with excellence and integrity.”
This lesson took root as Dr. Hall navigated her path as a first-generation college graduate. After moving to California to earn her bachelor’s degree in business management from Pepperdine University, she embarked on a lifelong pursuit of knowledge that would eventually culminate in a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership. From her very first job at age sixteen earning four dollars an hour in a mental health facility’s accounts receivable department she approached every task with a sense of purpose. Her parents never placed limits on her potential, encouraging her to “do the impossible,” a mindset that allowed her to transition seamlessly from a small-town upbringing to an international career.
A Global Perspective on Leadership
Dr. Hall’s professional climb was marked by a relentless drive to understand the systems that help individuals thrive. Her career took her across the globe, including a three-year tenure as an educator in Abu Dhabi, where she gained a profound appreciation for the universal power of high-quality instruction and cultural adaptability.
Upon returning to the United States, she spent over a decade with Atlanta Public Schools, eventually serving as a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) Specialist. In this role, she became a master of data-driven intervention, ensuring that 100% of student support meetings were conducted with the precision and empathy required to help at-risk students succeed. She didn’t just manage processes; she coached teachers and families, bridging the gap between academic requirements and the human needs of the children behind the numbers.
This period of her life was characterized by a “Bold, Brave, and Beautiful” approach to professional growth. She realized that her ability to lead was rooted in her ability to listen. As she often advises the next generation: “Always listen with the intention to understand, not just to respond. Don’t rush to judgment. Believe in who you are and what you’re capable of.”
Building Legacies of Empowerment
In 2019 and 2020, Dr. Hall took the bold step of transforming her years of expertise into her own ventures. She founded RubyMac Learning Academy (RMLA), a non-profit dedicated to the “whole child” approach, focusing not just on math and reading proficiency for students aged 5–13, but on their social and emotional development. Through RMLA, she has created a sanctuary where learning is joyful and tailored to the unique abilities of every child.
Simultaneously, she launched Myrtle Tree Publishing, a platform built on the belief that words have the power to inspire and lead. As an author and publisher, she has championed works that celebrate heritage and leadership, such as Grandma’s Hands and Essential Soft Skills for Effective Leadership: Steps to Leading with Grace. Her “Girl With Goals” Vision Board Summit has become a cornerstone of her community impact, equipping young girls to visualize their aspirations and develop actionable plans to realize their potential.
Her work today is a reflection of the celebration and joy she experienced in her childhood home. Whether she is mentoring a young girl at the “Bold, Brave & Beautiful” summit or consulting for a major educational organization, Dr. Hall ensures that those in her presence feel seen, heard, and appreciated.
Vision for the Future: A Legacy of Collaborative Growth
As Dr. Hall looks toward the future, her focus is on expanding her reach through high-level consulting and executive coaching. Having mastered the complexities of organizational leadership and educational strategy, she is intentionally seeking opportunities to serve on boards where her expertise in MTSS, curriculum development, and soft-skill leadership can drive systemic change.
Her philosophy remains anchored in her faith and the belief that the greatest leaders are those who empower others to rise. For Dr. Hall, the journey is no longer just about her own ascent; it is about creating a “supportive, joy-filled sisterhood” and professional networks that span the globe. She continues to seek wisdom daily, committed to the idea that every experience is an opportunity to grow.
“Challenges will come, but they don’t have the power to stop you,” she asserts. With a career built on the pillars of integrity and a heart dedicated to service, Dr. Marie S. Hall is not just preparing the next generation of leaders she is showing them how to lead with grace.
Editorial Note
Dr. Marie S. Hall’s journey from Youngstown to the pinnacle of organizational leadership serves as a powerful reminder that excellence is a habit, not a destination. Her story challenges us to reflect on our own leadership: Are we merely managing tasks, or are we making people feel valued? To learn more about Dr. Hall’s consulting services or the RubyMac Learning Academy, we invite you to connect with her vision of empowering the “whole person” for a better tomorrow.
