About me

Hi, I’m Clarissa, but you can call me Riss.

I’m a writer, marketer, coach, slow runner, outdoor enthusiast and curious mind currently based in Auckland, New Zealand.

I left a stable, well-paid job in the financial services industry in 2023 to pursue my own communications and coaching business. I’ve always been drawn to meaningful projects, and I wanted to commit myself fully to clients, campaigns and causes that truly aligned with my values.

I now offer my 9+ years of experience executing large-scale digital marketing campaigns, motivating high-performing teams, crafting impactful communications, launching products, running impactful events and mentoring individuals, to others who also want to make a difference in the world.

I’ve helped tech startups, non-profits, agencies and corporates in the tourism, education, finance, property and tech sectors to communicate their vision and values.

Whatever your ‘why’, I can help find and articulate it, too.

A little bit more about me

  • I lost a parent at 20; have navigated two career transitions; moved overseas several times; survived and emerged stronger from an emotionally abusive relationship; and experienced ongoing mental health struggles, burnout, toxic workplaces and heartbreak. I believe all these experiences have made me the person I am today: someone who’s incredibly resilient and able to empathise with others going through tough times.

  • I hold a Master of Research degree in international relations from Macquarie University and a Bachelor of Arts (Adv)(Hons) in English and History from the University of Sydney.

  • I love languages. I’m fluent in Swedish, and know bits and pieces of Russian, Norwegian, Danish, Icelandic, German, Vietnamese, French and Spanish as well. My current goal is to get to a conversational level of Spanish to be able to travel through Latin America.

  • I’m an introvert who loves public speaking, socialising and organising activities. This means I can be super outgoing and social some days, then need to be alone for a while to recharge those batteries. It’s a constant battle that I’m always learning how to navigate better!

  • I’m passionate about financial equity for everyone, particularly women and marginalised groups, making space for others, collaboration over competition, and mental health advocacy.

  • I enjoy running and am currently training for my first ever marathon.

  • I’ve worked in and travelled to nearly 50 countries and have lived in four: Australia (where I was born), New Zealand (where I currently live), England and Sweden.

  • I love exploring the outdoors — running, walking, hiking and camping — and my best ideas and inspiration come from being outside. All the photos that accompany my blogs on this website are my own, taken from places that inspire me.