Smith’s Freshman Fellows Program Welcomes Marissa Levin

On October 19, 2009, the Robert H. Smith School of Business welcomed Marissa Levin ‘89, CEO of Information Experts, an integrated communications firm offering a broad range of strategic and tactical marketing and internal communications services across digital and print media.

Levin calls herself an accidental entrepreneur who didn’t feel like she was reaching her fullest potential in her early career jobs. She knew what she didn’t want to do, so she set off to start her own company – which now brings in $10-12 million annual revenue.

During her inspirational talk to the Freshman Fellows at the Smith School, she encouraged them to break out of their comfort zone because the university setting is a safe place for exploration.“We become the people that surround us,” she said, promoting a diversified college experience.
Levin used examples from the book “Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell to hit home her recommendations and suggested two other books that students also read: “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill and “The Pursuit of Happyness” by Chris Gardner.

Levin started Information Experts 14 years ago at her kitchen table after her boss told her that she would never be worth more than $34,000. Levin is the recipient of countless leadership awards and frequently speaks on her experiences as a woman business owner who has financed 100 percent of her organization through earnings while raising two young sons, and maintaining a corporate culture that is employee-focused and values-based.

Often honored for her entrepreneurship, Levin was chosen as one of Washington’s Top 100 Tech Leaders by Washingtonian magazine for 2009, for her proven track record in the tech world and her influence as a leader with vision. Information Experts was named to Inc. Magazine’s 2009 Inc 5000 List, and was a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year.