KNOW YOUR COLLEAGUES: INTERVIEW WITH MARU WILSON
What attracted you to performance improvement/human performance technology/the International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI)?
My journey into performance improvement and human performance technology is rooted in my sociology background, which fostered a deep passion for understanding systems and the people within them. As I transitioned into learning and development consulting, I discovered ISPI and immediately recognized how its principles aligned with my focus on creating impactful, sustainable change in organizations. My ISPI professional journey has progressed rapidly, deepening my connection to the community and my commitment to the field at every stage. What began as a microvolunteer opportunity (2 hours per month) evolved into roles as a general volunteer (2–4 hours per month), midlevel volunteer (4–6 hours per month), and ultimately leadership (6–10 hours per month). In my current role as ISPI’s fractional executive director, I draw on over 15 years of experience in association management at organizations like ASA and LSC, where I honed the ability to align strategy, operations, and value to achieve meaningful outcomes.
What is some of the work you are most proud of?
I have always been passionate about leveraging information technology to modernize the work environment and improve organizational performance. One of my proudest achievements came in 2016 when I guided the migration of several mission-critical processes—at varying stages of digital readiness—to the cloud, achieving an unprecedented 99% adoption rate. This success demonstrated how prioritizing the human aspect can drive organizational transformation through technology. These moments of impact, when people and organizations thrive due to a well-orchestrated plan, continue to fuel my dedication to this field. Today, I am equally energized by the opportunity to empower professionals to reach their highest potential in an AI-centric world.
When people speak or think of you, what do you want them to say or remember?
This is such a great question! I hope to be remembered as a principled, forward-thinking leader who inspires others to confidently embrace change, pursue innovation, and strive for excellence. I want to be thought of as someone who listened with intention, acted with fairness and integrity, and consistently left organizations and individuals stronger than I found them.
What do you do and/or are you doing now?
As the fractional executive director of ISPI, I focus on fostering growth, engaging our membership, and amplifying the value of our community. I also serve as a fractional chief learning officer, leveraging my expertise to help organizations navigate change, optimize processes, and develop impactful learning solutions. Additionally, I own Celis Learning Architects, where I offer adaptive leadership workshops, instructional design and e-learning services, Five Behaviors® certifications, and human–machine collaboration curricula designed to enhance organizational performance through technology.
Where can you be reached?
Maru can be reached on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/marucwillson, through her website at https://www.celislearningarchitects.com, or via email at maruwillson@ispi.org.
Short Bio
Maru is an accomplished nonprofit leader and entrepreneur with more than 25 years of experience in the 501(c)(3) sector, spanning professional and trade associations, universities, and community organizations. With a comprehensive skill set across the American Society of Association Executives’ nine domains of association management, she fosters a collaborative environment that empowers ISPI members to drive meaningful performance improvements in their organizations.
Maru holds a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts with a focus in sociology and a master’s degree in adult education, bringing a strong academic foundation and research-driven approach to her work. In addition to serving as a fractional chief learning officer for a small tech start-up, she owns Celis Learning Architects, at which she provides strategic consulting services to enhance organizational performance. Her expertise includes corporate training and curriculum development, professional and leadership development, and human–machine collaboration change management. Celis Learning Architects is also a Five Behaviors® authorized partner.
