About CWS

My Journey

Early in my career, I moved hundreds of miles away from home and began building a professional network and a community from the ground up. Over time, those connections became the foundation for both a successful career and a fulfilling personal life. Decades later, I experienced a major life shift and found myself beginning again. This time I understood something more clearly: meaningful connections are not just a part of success; they are at the center of it. Throughout my career as a coach, facilitator, performance consulting, and in my personal life the communities I’ve built have opened doors, created opportunities, provided support, and made the journey richer. That experience shaped what I do today: helping people build stronger, more meaningful connections that support both professional growth and personal fulfillment because success isn’t achieved in isolation.

The right connections can change your career, expand your possibilities, and transform the way you experience your life.

Let's Connect

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Testimonials

“Working with Maria has truly been a blessing in my life. Her encouragement, compassion and belief in me helped me see my true potential which has helped me overcome obstacles and take steps towards my goals, that once seemed so scary. I am so grateful for her support, guidance and for the positive changes I have made in my life.” - J. Hammon.

“I met with Maria because I felt burnt-out, self-denigrating, and unclear exactly how to get unstuck. During our first session, she helped me tap into a sweet tenderness and open up to a variety of real-world practices that encouraged a loving and supportive attitude towards myself. I felt listened to and understood as she allowed my personal values to shape the way forward. That's what I appreciate most, Maria's ability to help me connect more deeply to the things I believe in and rely on at that deep connection to guide me.”  - M. Platten

"Maria has a remarkable ability to see beyond the surface, recognize others’ strengths and she has never been someone who simply tells people what they want to hear; instead, she coaches them to discover their own strengths, possibilities, and paths forward. Coaching requires more than knowledge or technique, it requires the ability to connect with people, and genuinely care about another person’s growth. She brings compassion where there is difficulty, understanding where there is uncertainty, and encouragement when someone needs to believe in themselves again. I am incredibly proud of Maria and have no doubt that the same heart, wisdom, empathy, and love is a tremendous gift to those she coaches. They will be receiving a compassionate listener, a thoughtful guide, an encourager, and someone who genuinely wants to see them grow and thrive. I am honored to give Maria my highest recommendation. With great admiration and affection." T. Soto

What clients say about Maria’s connection coaching, design and facilitation:

• Aways providing me with consistent and constructive feedback in order to better serve my clients and innovate new ways
• Her skills in developing and facilitating group learning experiences make her stand out from others
• Now I have mentors who make sure my contributions are recognized in leadership discussions
• She helps me develop intentional, structured practices to connect to others
• I've learned numerous valuable pieces of information through training courses Maria has instructed that I use on a daily level within my own sales team
• I’ve not only created new connections in my community but I’ve deepened relationships with old friends
• She is motivational to others and brings out the best in everyone she works with

Where Purposeful Connections Create Lasting Impact!