Today we’d like to introduce you to Marie C. Zoutomou-Quintanilla.
Hi Marie C. , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey began on stage — speaking at women’s conferences, retreats, and empowerment events where I shared stories about resilience, leadership, and navigating change with purpose. Those early experiences revealed something powerful: when women feel seen, supported, and equipped with the right tools, they lead differently. They transform teams, families, and entire workplaces. That realization sparked my passion for helping people step into their full potential.
As my speaking career grew, I started hearing the same concerns across industries — burnout, low morale, miscommunication, and leadership misalignment. Talented people were struggling in environments that didn’t fully support them. I realized I wanted to do more than inspire change from the stage; I wanted to help build healthier, purpose-driven workplaces where people could truly thrive.
That vision led me to launch Seek Coaching LLC.
Today, my mission is to help organizations turn workplace challenges into strategic advantages. Through our Corporate Training & Employee Retention Services, we address the real factors behind disengagement and turnover, helping companies create cultures where employees feel valued, supported, and motivated to stay.
Our Leadership Development Training gives leaders the confidence, clarity, and compassion needed to guide teams through adversity. We offer practical tools for communication, decision-making, and leading with resilience.
I continue to speak at corporate events, retreats, and conferences, offering keynotes and customized breakout sessions centered on collaboration, resilience, and organizational transformation — sessions that help teams reset, realign, and reconnect.
Our Team Engagement & Retention programs rebuild trust, strengthen communication, and boost morale through meaningful experiences that elevate organizational culture from the inside out.
A defining moment in my journey came when I was featured in International Business Times for my mission to impact 6 million lives through coaching, leadership development, and culture transformation. That recognition reaffirmed the purpose behind my work.
Beyond Seek Coaching, I am deeply committed to community service and advocacy. I serve as a Health Equity Ambassador for the American Cancer Society and as the Head of Nonprofit Advisory at AllPeople Marketplace, supporting mission-driven organizations in expanding their reach. As President of the Hamlin Charter PTA, I lead initiatives that support students, families, and educators. And as an LAUSD Vendor, I share my children’s book, I Will Not Be Bullied, I Will Not Bully Others, to promote empathy, confidence, and anti-bullying awareness — a project especially close to my heart.
My path hasn’t been traditional, but every stage, workshop, leadership role, and service opportunity has shaped the work I do today. Seek Coaching LLC is the bridge between my passion for empowering individuals — especially women — and my commitment to transforming teams and organizations at every level.
Looking back, I’m grateful for the journey. And looking ahead, I’m even more excited for the impact still to come.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road definitely hasn’t been smooth. Like many entrepreneurs and leaders, I faced seasons where I questioned my path, my timing, and even my own voice. In the early stages of my speaking career, I struggled with imposter syndrome — wondering if my experiences were “enough” to help others. It took time, confidence-building, and real-life impact to realize that my story had value and purpose.
When I launched Seek Coaching LLC, I faced the same challenges many small-business owners do: navigating limited resources, learning how to scale, and balancing my passion for serving people with the realities of building a sustainable business. There were moments when the workload felt overwhelming and moments when the vision felt bigger than the support around me.
Another challenge has been stepping into leadership roles while balancing family, community service, and entrepreneurship. Leading with purpose requires energy, clarity, and emotional resilience — and I’ve had to learn, sometimes the hard way, how to set boundaries, prioritize my well-being, and give myself grace through seasons of change.
I’ve also seen firsthand how deeply workplace burnout and organizational misalignment can affect people. Early on, I often felt the weight of wanting to “fix” everything for everyone. Over time, I’ve learned how to guide transformation without carrying the full burden myself — teaching teams to build healthier cultures, not just responding to individual challenges.
But every struggle has served a purpose. Each obstacle strengthened my resilience, sharpened my mission, and deepened my commitment to helping individuals and organizations thrive. The journey hasn’t been perfect, but it has absolutely been worth it.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At its core, my work is about helping people and organizations thrive. I specialize in leadership development, employee retention, and organizational culture transformation through my company, Seek Coaching LLC. I’m known for creating environments where individuals feel seen, supported, and empowered — and where teams can operate with clarity, trust, and alignment.
Through our Corporate Training & Employee Retention Services, I help organizations address the real issues behind burnout, turnover, and disengagement. We go beyond surface-level solutions and tackle the root causes — communication breakdowns, misaligned leadership, lack of purpose, and outdated workplace practices. I’m passionate about helping companies turn these challenges into opportunities for stronger culture and higher performance.
Our Leadership Development Training is another cornerstone of my work. I equip leaders with practical tools for effective communication, confident decision-making, and compassionate leadership — skills that strengthen their teams and elevate entire organizations. I’m also a keynote speaker and workshop facilitator at corporate events, conferences, and leadership retreats, where I focus on collaboration, resilience, and organizational transformation.
One of the things I’m most proud of is being featured in International Business Times for my mission to impact 6 million lives through coaching, leadership development, and culture transformation. It was a powerful reminder that the work I do is bigger than me — it’s about creating healthier workplaces and stronger communities.
What truly sets me apart is my blended approach: I combine personal empowerment with organizational strategy. Many professionals focus on either the individual or the company — I work at the intersection of both. I help people grow while ensuring the systems around them support that growth. My perspective is also shaped by a deep commitment to service. As a Health Equity Ambassador for the American Cancer Society, Head of Nonprofit Advisory at AllPeople Marketplace, and President of the Hamlin Charter PTA, my work is grounded in community impact and purpose-driven leadership.
Additionally, my children’s book, I Will Not Be Bullied, I Will Not Bully Others, reflects my belief in developing confidence, empathy, and emotional intelligence from an early age — values I carry into every training, workshop, and coaching experience.
Ultimately, I help organizations create cultures where people feel valued, connected, and motivated to stay — and I help leaders and teams operate with the clarity and resilience required to succeed. That’s the heart of what I do, and it’s the reason I wake up excited for this work every day.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something surprising that most people who know my work might not know is that my journey didn’t begin with a plan to become a speaker, coach, or organizational leader. I actually started out as someone who preferred to stay behind the scenes. I was the person who cheered others on, helped them prepare, and supported their ideas — long before I ever imagined stepping onto a stage myself.
Another fun fact: I’m deeply creative. I love storytelling, writing, and anything that allows me to connect with people on an emotional level. That creativity is a big part of why I wrote my children’s book and why my workshops feel more like meaningful experiences than traditional training sessions.
People are also often surprised to learn how much of my drive comes from my own personal experiences with adversity — moments that taught me resilience, empathy, and the importance of creating environments where people feel safe to be themselves. Those lessons fuel the work I do today.
And on a lighter note, I’m known to blast music and dance around the house when I need a reset — something my clients rarely see, but my family knows very well!
Pricing:
- Corporate Keynote Speaking & Workshops: Starting at $2,500 for a 60–90 minute session (custom pricing for multi-day events or specialized training).
- Leadership Development Training: Starting at $3,500 for half-day workshops; full-day programs available.
- Team Engagement & Retention Programs: Starting at $2,000 for interactive sessions tailored to company size and goals.
- Nonprofit & Community Engagement Programs: Flexible pricing available to accommodate nonprofit budgets and community initiatives.
- Note: All pricing is flexible and customizable based on organization size, event type, and goals. For detailed quotes, direct inquiries are welcome via Email: [email protected]
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.seekcoachingllc.com
- Instagram: @themariezq
- Facebook: Marie Cecile Zoutomou-Quintanilla
- LinkedIn: Seekcoachingllc
- Twitter: @themariezq
- Youtube: Seekcoachingllc
- Yelp: Seekcoachingllc
Image Credits
Photo Credit: The first headshot by Olya Helga — Photographer & Model (Los Angeles) olyahelga.com
