Rita Maximilian-Atassi

Rita Maximilian-Atassi is a Senior Career Coach with the F. David Fowler Career Center at the George Washington University School of Business. A proud GW alumna, Rita earned both her MBA and her M.A. in International Education from the university. She brings more than 15 years of experience spanning higher education, global nonprofit program management, and private-sector business environments.

Prior to joining GWSB, Rita served as a Program Officer at World Learning, where she led U.S. Department of State–funded international exchange programs. In addition to her background in international education and programming, Rita has worked directly with corporate partners, senior executives, and cross-functional teams developing strategic relationships within various sectors such as energy and technology.

Rita is also a certified holistic health coach and yoga instructor. Her training in mindfulness, resilience, and whole-person development informs her coaching approach, allowing her to support students not only in strategy and execution, but also in building clarity, confidence, and sustainable career direction. She is passionate about helping students translate their academic, and professional experiences into clear, confident career narratives that resonate with employers.