iRiseUp.ai
An AI platform with specialized assistants that empower individuals, teams and underserved communities through practical, inclusive technology.
About Maria
The Guide Behind the Guides
A place for the people who are always there for everyone else.
I walk alongside founders, coaches and leaders who carry the weight of responsibility, make difficult decisions and spend much of their lives showing up for others.
But even the strongest among us need somewhere to pause, be heard and simply be human.
That's the space I hope to create for you.
A Little About Me
Hello, I'm Maria.
Throughout my life, I've found myself drawn to people who spend their days pouring into others.
The founders building something meaningful. The coaches helping others find their way. The leaders making decisions that affect more lives than most people will ever see.
I've come to understand that these people often have very few places where they can take off the armor.
They're used to being the steady one. The problem solver. The person everyone calls when something needs to be figured out.
And somewhere along the way, their own needs can become an afterthought.
My work is about creating a different kind of space.
A space where you don't have to have the answers. Where you can speak honestly, explore what's weighing on you and reconnect with the person behind the responsibilities.
You don't have to arrive with everything figured out. You can simply arrive as you are.
The Journey That Brought Me Here
My journey has never been about one title or one profession. It's been about people, purpose and the many ways we can help one another grow.
Between 2004 and 2016, I served as a volunteer Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. That experience deepened my appreciation for the power of encouragement, consistency and having someone genuinely believe in you.
I also spent time supporting young inventors through the Invention Convention League, encouraging creativity and helping young people see the possibilities in their ideas.
Since 2009, I've been part of the Christian counseling community, walking alongside individuals through seasons of difficulty, personal growth and transformation.
My entrepreneurial journey brought another dimension to that understanding. Through founding and leading organizations, including I Rise Up and NeuroMed AI, as well as the AiraMed Group, I've experienced the responsibility, uncertainty and personal investment that come with building something meaningful.
I've learned that leadership is about much more than making decisions or reaching milestones.
It's also about the person making those decisions.
And the more I've worked with people, the more I've recognized something important:
The people who spend their lives holding space for others need somewhere to be held, too.
Today, that understanding shapes the heart of my work.
What I Believe
My approach is grounded in a few beliefs that continue to guide both my life and my work.
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You can be strong and still need support.
Independence doesn't mean you have to carry everything alone. Even the most capable people deserve a place to rest.
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You are more than what you accomplish.
Your value isn't measured by your productivity, your business, your influence or how much you do for others.
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Being heard can change everything.
Sometimes, what we need most isn't another strategy or another answer. It's the opportunity to speak freely and be genuinely understood.
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Growth doesn't always look like moving forward.
Sometimes growth means slowing down, becoming still and finding the courage to look inward.
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Faith is an anchor, not a performance.
My relationship with God is central to who I am. I believe faith can offer strength, perspective and hope, and I bring that foundation into my work with gentleness and without pressure.
The Companies I Founded
Building Tools That Serve Real People
NeuroMed Aira
An AI-powered health companion that simplifies medical records, explains complex diagnoses in plain language and supports families and caregivers with clear, compassionate guidance.
Aira
A platform that makes health and wellness resources more accessible, practical and actionable for everyday life.
How I Walk Alongside You
I don't believe meaningful guidance begins with telling someone what they should do.
It begins with listening.
When we work together, my intention is to create a private, thoughtful environment where you can take a breath, examine what's happening beneath the surface and find clarity without feeling judged or rushed.
I bring three important perspectives into our conversations:
The Counselor's Perspective
A willingness to listen beyond the words, recognize what may be left unsaid and approach difficult conversations with patience and compassion.
The Builder's Perspective
Having founded and led organizations, I understand that leadership isn't always theoretical. Decisions have consequences, responsibilities are real and the weight of building something can be deeply personal.
The Contemplative Perspective
My faith and contemplative practices have taught me the importance of stillness, prayer, reflection and making room for what truly matters.
Together, these perspectives shape a space that is both grounded and deeply human.
My 1:1 guidance is offered privately online, with in-person opportunities where possible.
A Life of Learning, Leadership and Service
My work has taken me across several fields, but each experience has contributed to the perspective I bring today.
Leadership & Entrepreneurship
- Founder & CEO, I Rise Up Foundation LLC
- Founder & CEO, NeuroMed AI
- Founder & CEO, AiraMed Group
Coaching & Counseling
- Executive Coach & Leadership Mentor
- Presidential Member, American Association of Christian Counselors (since 2009)
Education & Professional Development
- Executive Education in Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare, Harvard Medical School
Contemplative Leadership
- Member, Mepkin Institute for Contemplative Leadership
- Founder & Organizer, Heart of Remembrance Spiritual Retreat
Writing & Speaking
- Author of three books
- Speaker
- Retreat Facilitator
Community & Youth Development
- Volunteer Big Sister, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (2004–2016)
- Involvement with Invention Convention League (2012–2014, 2018)
Beyond the Titles
There is a person behind every role I hold, and the people closest to me are a constant reminder of that.
I'm a wife, a stepmom, an aunt, a godmother and someone who deeply values the relationships that make life meaningful.
These relationships teach me things no professional title ever could.
They remind me that love requires presence. That patience is something we practice. That we don't always need to have the perfect words. Sometimes, simply being there is enough.
I'm still learning, still growing and still finding my way through the beautiful and complicated parts of life.
And I think that's important.
Because I never want the people I work with to feel that they have to be perfect to be worthy of support.
Neither do I.
Who gets to know the person behind the responsibilities in your life?
Words, Stillness & the Things That Matter
Writing has always been one of the ways I reflect, explore faith and connect with others.
Over the years, I've written three books:
- Conversations Through Psalms
- The Lion You Don't See
- The Christmas Lion Who Shows the Way
Each carries its own message, but they share a common thread: the importance of looking beyond what is immediately visible and reconnecting with what matters most.
I've also had the privilege of founding the Heart of Remembrance Spiritual Retreat, held on the peaceful grounds of Mepkin Abbey.
The retreat creates room for prayer, silence, reflection and meaningful conversation.
It's an invitation to step away from the noise of everyday life and remember who you are beneath all the roles you carry.
You Don't Have to Carry It All Alone
What might become possible if you finally gave yourself the same care, patience and understanding you so freely offer everyone else?
You don't need to be at a breaking point to reach out.
Perhaps you're navigating a new season of leadership. Perhaps you've accomplished everything you once hoped for, yet something inside you is asking for more. Or perhaps you simply want a place where you can think, reflect and be completely yourself.
Whatever brings you here, I'm glad you found your way.
You don't have to make a big commitment or have the perfect words to begin.
Let's start with a conversation.
Maria Gregory