Equipping Communities for Unity, Healing, Faith, and Belonging

A Life of Impact and Leadership

Maria’s impact spans schools, churches, nonprofits, and wellness organizations across Canada and the United States. As a speaker, leader, trainer, and curriculum designer, she collaborates with leaders, educators, and families to build trauma-informed, inclusive and belonging spaces. Maria is also committed to equipping and mentoring women leaders in the church to boldly step into their God-given callings and lead with confidence.

A Voice for Healing and Unity

Maria is an accomplished author with three children’s books published and two new books set to release soon, Called to Love and—Celebrating Unity, A Family Devotional. Her books reflect her heart for cultivating love, unity, and healing.

A Personal Journey of Unity and Healing

Maria’s passion for unity and trauma healing is deeply personal. As an immigrant and mother to nine children—two biological and seven adopted—her family represents seven cultural backgrounds, six racial groups, and ten additional (special) needs. Together with her husband Sam of 27 years who is also an immigrant and adult adoptee, they have built a home defined by love, faith, and bold trust in God’s plan. Their journey of adoption, foster care, and walking in faith demonstrates the transformative power of God’s best stories.

Expertise in Unity, Belonging, and Trauma-Informed Care

Maria holds a Master’s in Social Work from Rutgers University, where trauma and —diversity, inclusion, and belonging were foundational to her training and clinical licensure since 2001. Her undergraduate is in Psychology from a Christian University from one of the first nations to have a multi-cultural national policy, Canada. She also holds a DEI certificate from Cornell University and is a TBRI (Trust-Based Relational Intervention) trained practitioner through Texas Christian University. Maria expertise is at the intersection of trauma-informed practices and fostering authentic environments of unity and belonging where every one matters.

A Legacy of Faith and Love

Maria’s life is a testament to living out Micah 6:8—walking humbly with God, acting justly, and loving mercy. She believes that the greatest call is to love God and others, a central theme in her upcoming book, Called to Love. Grounded in Jeremiah 29:11, Maria’s journey reflects her trust in God’s best stories, even through challenges and unknowns. She encourages others to embrace their own God stories, trusting that God is always writing something beautiful and redemptive. Through her work and her life, Maria seeks to leave a legacy of faith, love, and unity that inspires others to live boldly for God.

Join Maria’s Mission

Through her faith and background in trauma-informed care and leading unity and belonging, Maria equips communities to build healthy environments of healing, value and connection. Whether through her books, speaking engagements, consultation or coaching, or resources, Maria invites you to join her in championing differences where every person feels seen, valued, and empowered to thrive. Maria invites you to take a seat at the table, joining the journey of growing, maturing, and learning together as we listen to and learn from one another.