Nolie MacDonald has always had a deep respect and appreciation for the therapeutic process. Seeing it as a means of addressing problems at their root rather than applying superficial solutions, she strives to develop a series of virtual reality therapy sessions through VRenity Inc., where she is the chief executive officer. The unique sessions would incorporate artificial intelligence technology to tailor the experience to each person. Ms. MacDonald believes this approach will result in maximum efficacy and positive outcomes for the individual undergoing the therapy.
Emerging from a difficult upbringing, Ms. MacDonald knows firsthand the power of therapy and the importance of tackling the source of a problem. Her mother struggled with drug addiction and was diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, significantly impacting Ms. MacDonald. Despite the difficulties she faced in this challenging childhood environment, Ms. MacDonald has persevered and now seeks to utilize her experiences to help others. Believing that people place limitations on their own potential based on their upbringing and environment, she knows that through hard work, determination, and healing, individuals can break through the ceilings they have constructed for their lives and define their own self-worth. This important journey, however transformative it may be, must start from within.
With decades of professional experience, Ms. MacDonald earned a Bachelor of Arts in sociology at Western Washington University in 2005. She began her career as a crime analyst in the Port of Seattle, Washington, in 2006, and from 2007 to 2009, she garnered experience as an asset management analyst. After earning a Master of Business Administration in project management and marketing, she began working as a marketing manager with Vida Integrated Health in 2014. From 2016 to 2017, Ms. MacDonald served as a marketing manager for Dynamic Language, after which she became a database marketing manager for Expedia Inc. After several years with Pike13, she started working for Zones LLC as a marketing campaign manager and later became a senior digital marketing manager in 2022.
Bravely branching out on her own, Ms. MacDonald launched VRenity Inc. in 2023, seeking to use immersive virtual reality and spatial sound technology to help retrain the brain and empower her users to develop enhanced coping skills and improve their overall well-being. Ms. MacDonald utilizes her innovative technology to focus on serving three groups: veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, individuals treated at inpatient facilities specializing in psychiatry, and residents at assisted living facilities. She has shared some of her insights as a guest lecturer at the LG NOVA Innovation Festival, where she was also a finalist in the LG Hackathon in 2023.
Ascribing her success to her entrepreneurial spirit, Ms. MacDonald has achieved significant recognition for her professional accomplishments. She will be featured in the upcoming edition of Insights Success Magazine, in which her profile is scheduled to be the cover story, and a six-page spread will chronicle her achievements. Additionally, she was invited to speak at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, where she shared her experience in scaling a business using artificial intelligence technologies. Further, as a member of the VR/AR Association, she gave a lecture for MBA students at the University of Washington in May 2024.
Outside of her primary endeavors, Ms. MacDonald is a renowned professional jazz singer who still performs in the Greater Seattle area. She released a six-track self-written album titled “Nolie Durham,” which is available on popular music streaming platforms. Among her many accomplishments, she considers the greatest one to be betting on herself and taking a calculated risk. Through her hard work, dedication, and innovation, Ms. MacDonald escaped a situation of extreme burnout from overworking to launch her own business and realize her professional dreams.