A Bit About Me
Mariana’s passion is empowering people with the tools and skills they need to thrive when facing complex challenges.
Mariana is a certified Executive Coach in Leadership and Performance through Brown University. She holds a bachelor's degree in Pedagogy and a master's in Education with a concentration in Teacher Training from the Catholic University of São Paulo, Brazil—one of the most respected universities in Latin America. Her specialties include Paulo Freire’s critical pedagogy and adaptive leadership.
Over the past 15 years, Mariana has held a variety of roles, which have given her deep experience in leadership and training. She served as the principal of a school supporting at-risk children and families in São Paulo, trained teachers in Mozambique, Africa, and worked as Director of Field and Community Development for an educational nonprofit serving African refugees in Tel Aviv, Israel. During her time in Israel, she deepened her expertise in working with volunteers and providing them with the support they needed.
Since relocating to the United States, Mariana has worked as a trainer, consultant, and faculty member with Na’aleh – The Hub for Leadership Learning in Baltimore, MD, and with Leadership Baltimore City.
Currently, Mariana is an associate at the Kagen Leadership Group, where she provides experiential training for leaders across the country.