Best and Brightest: Marissa Keisler

Marissa Keisler

Head of Marketing, Communications, and Brand Development

Proterra

Greenville

Age 32

I'm the head of marketing, communications, and brand development at Proterra, a leading commercial battery technology company. Over the past five years, I've led brand strategy, partner engagement, and market expansion initiatives in the fast-evolving commercial electric vehicle industry, building on more than six years in the lighting industry, where various roles gave me a foundation in technical product knowledge that I pair with strategic communications and cross-functional leadership. That combination shapes where I want to go next: growing at the intersection of technology and strategy, accelerating the shift toward sustainable transportation, and developing the next generation of leaders. It's why I teach as an adjunct professor at Anderson University, where I also received my MBA. That same instinct to invest in people extends beyond the classroom. Giving back is a core part of who I am, from serving on the boards of several local nonprofits to mentoring colleagues at Proterra, because investing in my community and the people around me is just as important to me as any professional milestone.

Favorite Quote and Why: "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." — Proverbs 27:17. It isn't about being the smartest person in the room; it's about creating an environment where people help each other grow together. The greatest parts of my career have come from being in challenging situations with teammates that have supported me and that we have been able to learn and grow from each other.

Definition of a Successful Leader: To me, a successful leader isn't defined by the size of their team or even the title but by trust. A successful leader is someone people know they can count on: someone who shows up consistently, rolls up their sleeves, and does whatever it takes to move the team forward, not just direct. It's less about authority and more about impact and the way you make the people beside you better, more capable, and more confident. If a team feels supported, heard, and pushed to grow because of how their leader shows up, that's success to me. Leadership is a responsibility to the people around you, not a reward for yourself.

Advice to 18-Year-Old Self: I'd tell my 18-year-old self to stay open-minded. Don't get too locked into one idea of what your path is supposed to look like. Some of the best opportunities I've had didn't look like what I originally pictured for myself, and if I'd been closed off to them, I would have missed out on discovering things I ended up loving. You don't always know what you're good at, or what you'll enjoy, until you're willing to try something unexpected. Say yes to the opportunity even when it doesn't fit the plan. The plan will adjust.