Maria Brown, PhD, BCC is Head of Research and Education at MRG Assessments, where she leads research, thought leadership, and applied learning initiatives focused on leadership effectiveness, motivation, and coaching. Her work bridges rigorous psychological science and practical application, supporting leaders, coaches, and organizations in translating insight into sustained behavior change. Maria is a Board Certified Coach (BCC). Her coaching emphasizes compassionate and accountable leadership, motivational factors, work-life balance, and identifying the conditions that enable people and organizations to thrive. She holds a PhD and MS in Developmental Psychology from Vanderbilt University and a BS in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Boston. Prior to joining MRG, Maria served as an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Murray State University, where she taught across undergraduate and graduate curricula. An experienced educator, Maria is known for making complex research accessible and actionable. Maria brings a broad research background spanning developmental, cognitive, and applied psychology. She has published in peer-reviewed journals including Developmental Science and Teaching of Psychology, as well as practitioner outlets such as TD Magazine and Coaching Perspectives. Her work has been presented internationally at conferences hosted by the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, the Society of Consulting Psychology, the European Mentoring and Coaching Council, and the Association for Talent Development, among others.