Maria received her coaching training from The Coaches Training Institute and has coached numerous nonprofit professionals. She is a skilled listener who uses her intuition and expertise to help facilitate a rich and meaningful coaching relationship.
Contact me today to set up a free 1/2 consultation to determine if coaching is right for you at this juncture in your life.
Testimonials:
“Maria is an awesome coach! She came highly recommended from a friend. Before I started my coaching journey with Maria, I interviewed a total of 3 coaches. It was Maria who suggested to see what is out there, interview a few folks to make sure you find the right coach. She even helped me with interview questions to ask and gave me names of other coaches she trusted. In my gut, I knew she was it! Maria did not disappoint. She is direct, tells you like it is, and was exactly what I needed to kick myself into gear. Leadership, management, supervision, burnout, and personnel issues were some of the toughest issues that I was dealing with. Maria guided and challenged me to think strategically as a leader and manager. She created and held the space for me to share, vent, and brainstorm ways to move forward. She called me out on my stuff and wasn’t going to let me give up on my core values. It was refreshing to have a coach that gets it and gets you as a person. I knew that no matter what that Maria had my back. I could reach out to her for help with the small or big issues. Maria is dynamic and highly skilled. She brings her best self to the sessions and in return expects you to do the same. I am so grateful to have her as my executive coach this past year.” Mychi Nguyen
“Investing time, energy, and intention into learning more about who you are a person and how you lead is sacred work, and it matters who you invite into the journey with you. In our time together Maria created a space where personal and professional reflection could be discovered with delight and wonder. Through her deep listening and hospitable curiosity, I have become a more rooted, intentional, and aware leader. I strive to arrive in each day as my best and truest self, know this is the gift I have to give to my work.” Aubrey Thonvold, Executive Director
“It was so amazing to see Maria use such a wide variety of strategies to support my growth. No matter what new, juicy topic I brought to her, Maria could listen, brainstorm, ask probing questions, or give suggestions based on what I needed at the time. And it was so helpful to have a woman of color with shared values as a partner in thinking through the trials and tribulations of nonprofit leadership.” Bita Nazarian, Executive Director http://826valencia.org
“Not only has my coaching experience with Maria opened my eyes and heart to a world of possibility; the experience has also provided me with the path and the tools to help me create the life that I have been yearning for. Her insight, wisdom, and ability to create a container of safety while also holding me accountable for showing up fully was precisely what I needed to begin to cultivate new ways of working, living, and loving that align with who I am at my core. The coaching exercises during our calls, goal-setting, action steps and suggested reading were the complementary pieces that I needed to help keep me on track and focused in between sessions. Maria’s support, guidance, and compassion provided a safe space for me to share, learn, take risks, practice and fail. As a result, I feel equipped and ready to say YES to all the possibilities and some impossibilities in front of me. Thank you, Maria, for this beautiful, heart-jolting, transformational experience.” Ebony Ross
“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
Finding a coach who is a good fit for you is like finding a good friend – it is a combination of good chemistry, shared values and stylistic preferences – some of which simply boils down to having a good feeling about the person. That said, it is important to interview at least three coaches before making your final decision. Maria is always available to provide you with names of other coaches and with resources to help you during the interview and selection process.
Selected List of Client Organizations
- 826 Valencia
- Asian Health Center
- Center for Community Change
- East Bay Housing Organization
- Horizons Foundation
- Housing California
- International Institute of the Bay Area
- Reconciling Works
- The Surge Institute
- United Farmworker Foundation