Meet Victoria Farris: Bringing Emotional Intelligence and Inclusive Leadership to the Workplace
Technical skill can open doors, but emotional intelligence determines how far—and how sustainably—you go once you’re inside. Victoria Farris has built her career around that truth.
Victoria is a 2026 AdaMarie Expert and will be hosting Week 4 of the AdaMarie Career Accelerator, focused on Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace. As the Founder and CEO of Farris Consulting, she supports leaders and organizations in building more inclusive, human-centered environments where people can actually thrive. Her work blends psychology, leadership development, and lived experience, offering a grounded approach to navigating complexity, conflict, and growth at work.
In her Accelerator session, Victoria will help participants strengthen the emotional and relational skills that quietly shape career outcomes—from teamwork and communication to resilience and self-trust.
If you’re joining the Accelerator, you’ll have the opportunity to learn directly from her. And if you’re curious how emotional intelligence becomes a leadership advantage over time, keep reading to learn more about her journey.
Meet Victoria Farris!
Getting to Know You:
Major & Minor – If you went to college!: Psychology
Field of Work: Consulting + Coaching
Expertise In: Inclusive Leadership
Current Company: Farris Consulting
Job Title: Founder + CEO
One-liner About What You’re Working On: Facilitating workspaces where people can thrive
Currently geeking out over: The moon and how a regulated nervous system influences leadership
STEM Hero: Grace Hopper
Tell us about your professional journey – how did you get where you are now?
By accident! I worked the first part of my career in higher education. I did good work and moved up the ladder pretty quickly. In my field, getting a doctorate was a critical next step for my promotion, so I went back to school. In the process of collecting my research, I realized that I had something that I wanted to share about how to create more inclusive workplaces.
At the same time, I had young kids and a stressful work environment, so I pivoted. I launched my consulting business and started speaking, presenting, and coaching around topics of inclusion and leadership. Now that work has shaped into more human-centered leadership, the mission is the same: creating workplaces where people can thrive.
We’re also curious to know your personal story and upbringing. What has made you “you”?
I remember at a very early age being asked what I wanted to be when I grew up and saying that I wanted to change the world. My parents encouraged curiosity and were open with me about the world and how things were. I learned about feminism from them in elementary school! It definitely helped shape who I am, because I learned to ask good questions and stay curious about things I heard. As an adult, I became engaged as an activist, this also had a dramatic impact on how I view leadership and the power of our voice.
We know that real life isn’t a smooth and linear journey. What was your initiating moment that led you to your calling - can you tell us about that moment, what helped you move forward, what you learned/discovered?
That's a tricky question because there isn't just one moment. But my mother's death had a huge impact on my life and how I came to understand my role in the world. She was only 57 and I was 30 at the time. It made me realize that life is too short to play small. It gave me the courage to make changes in my life and still to this day I am motivated by the idea that life is not promised.
If i only had 15 years left, how would I want to live them. I am bolder now, more audacious. More likely to push back on limiting environments and beliefs.
You work in a performance-driven industry. Where do you find balance?
Balance is all about priorities. What's a priority at 11am might not be the same at 7pm -- allowing myself to focus my presence accordingly helps. I also prioritize a routine that sets me up to have my full capacity: I sleep, I workout, I plan meals, I go outside, I meditate, I read, I go on adventures and find joy in as many moments as possible.
I also remember that the idea of balance is all in how I define it and think about it. The way that I talk to myself informs how I feel, so I tell myself that I get to decide where my attention and presence go, and then I make a plan for my day that allows me to actually do that. It's not perfect, but it helps!
You choose one: if you were a part of the human body, outer space, or a scientific process, what would you be and why?
I would definitely be a satellite just floating around in orbit amongst the starts, looking back at the earth. The idea of floating in space feels so soothing and exciting to me! I want to float amongst the stars!!
We would love to feature your work. How can we spread the word about what you’re doing?
Follow me on Social Media or invite me to speak at your next event!
Do you have a favorite motivational quote or song?
Lizzo, always.
Any final advice for early-career STEM professionals?
Remember that your technical skills are just one component of your success: learning to work as a part of a team, navigate conflict, and overcome perfectionism are also critical skills!
Join a 2026 Accelerator Cohort to learn from Victoria!
Victoria will be leading Week 4 of the AdaMarie Career Accelerator, focused on Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace and the skills that support collaboration, confidence, and long-term career growth.
If you want to join her live session and learn alongside a small cohort of peers, registration for the Career Accelerator is now open. Participants receive access to expert-led sessions, guided discussion, and the broader AdaMarie community throughout the program.
