I am a writer, playwright, educator, and storyteller whose work blends wellness, feminism, social justice, and creativity. I spent over a decade working in domestic violence prevention and wrote a benchbook for judges examining how implicit bias and isms impact legal outcomes. My play Rosie’s Blues is inspired by these experiences.
My writing has been featured in four anthologies and performed by The Braid theatre company. I’ve performed autobiographical pieces at Sweetwater, The Marsh, and Brava Theatre.
I have extensive experience as a coach, workshop leader, consultant, and facilitator that includes a twenty-year history of nonprofit experience in crisis counseling, advocacy, and teaching. My work in conflict resolution is informed by The Center for Understanding in Conflict where I received much of my mediation training.
In my coaching and consulting work I often use the Interpersonal Leadership Styles (ILS) assessment, Conflict Styles assessment, and Change Cycle Locator to help individuals and teams gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the many dynamics at play in the workplace.
For fourteen years I was a trainer with Rockwood Leadership Institute, a national leadership development organization dedicated to training social justice activists in cutting edge, state of the art transformational leadership.
I received my law degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Law and undergraduate degree from the University of California – Berkeley. After law school, I worked in the field of domestic violence prevention as a victim advocate with the Family Violence Prevention Fund (now Futures without Violence) and, later, in the field sexual harassment prevention as an educator.
Want to know more about me? Who I am? What else is important to me? What I’m thinking about these days? Subscribe to my newsletter, read my book or essays, and/or contact me to set up a time to chat.
Testimonials
Some feedback from my clients
The 90-minute workshop was so much fun that I didn’t want it to end. I knew we were going to write, but I had no idea Maria would break up the exercises into bite size confections, with variety, and with fantastic women to listen to. It was a welcome blend of writing, community, encouragement and inspiration, on a foundation of kindness and self-compassion.
Adela Pedroza, MBA, Moderator, corereef.com
Maria’s guidance and support were just what I needed at a time of transition in my career and life. Her approach to coaching factored in both what I felt I needed at the time, as well as what her experience allowed her to understand about how I would best respond to learning and change. I was glad to have a sounding board for big decisions, but Maria also offered practical tools and resources that I can continue to use. I would happily work with Maria again.
Hilda Vega
The Butterfly Series has changed the way I interact with myself and with the world. I am so grateful for this experience and excited for the journey ahead.