MEET MARLA

Marla Saxton is a strategic operations and leadership development expert with a proven track record of turning big vision into real-world results. With more than a decade of experience spanning commercial real estate, professional services, and organizational development, Marla specializes in aligning people, programs, and priorities to drive meaningful impact.

As General Manager of Highland Village, a premier mixed-use property in Jackson, Mississippi, Marla oversees daily operations, strategic initiatives, capital projects, and community engagement efforts. Her work has supported the successful onboarding of national retail brands, optimized guest experience, and strengthened long-term property value. She is known for building strong partnerships with ownership groups, executive leadership, vendors, and tenants by prioritizing transparency, collaboration, and excellence.

In addition to her work in real estate, Marla brings deep experience in leadership development and organizational communication. Through her consulting practice, she has designed scalable leadership frameworks for accounting firms, healthcare organizations, and national associations—helping future-ready leaders thrive in complex environments. She has launched firmwide engagement strategies, guided cultural transformations, and developed leadership programs that span from early-career professionals to C-suite executives.

At her core, Marla is passionate about helping organizations bridge the gap between vision and execution. She believes that strategy, when paired with clear communication and team alignment, has the power to transform not only businesses but the people within them.

Marla holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Mississippi State University. She lives in Jackson, Mississippi, where she enjoys connecting with her community, exploring creative leadership ideas, and finding new ways to turn vision into reality.