Marika Baptist is a dynamic educator, public health strategist, and founder of Live Bright Consulting, a people-centered firm helping organizations and the individuals they serve lead with clarity, communicate with confidence, and grow with purpose. With over a decade of experience spanning early childhood education, maternal and infant health, trauma-informed care, and strategic planning, Marika brings both compassion and precision to every engagement.

Her journey began as a classroom educator and lactation peer counselor, where she supported families through some of their most vulnerable and formative seasons. That experience deepened her understanding of what it truly means to empower people, whether it’s a mother learning to advocate for her baby or a health center transforming its approach to client care. Marika went on to serve as a practice coach and health equity leader at the Indiana Department of Health, where she advised statewide initiatives, led multimillion-dollar planning efforts, and facilitated collaborative learning across healthcare systems.

She holds degrees from UCLA and UC Riverside, and is currently pursuing a dual MPH and Doctor of Health Science, adding to her certifications in ACEs Master Training, Diversity & Inclusion, and Brief Action Planning. Today, through Live Bright Consulting, she equips organizations with the tools to plan strategically, train effectively, and nurture confident leaders across sectors.

Marika’s work is guided by a deep belief that when people feel seen, supported, and prepared, they show up brighter in work, in relationships, and in the world. Her goal is simple but powerful: to help others Live Bright, one intentional interaction at a time.