Maria is an occupational health professional with extensive experience implementing, delivering, and evaluating Disability Management (DM) and Duty‑to‑Accommodate (DTA) programs across healthcare, law enforcement, and other public‑sector environments. She takes a human‑focused, interest‑based approach to negotiation and strategic communication, believing that effective interpersonal dialogue and emotional intelligence are key to fostering psychologically safe workplaces. Maria holds an MA in Organizational Communication and certifications in Appreciative Inquiry, Emotional Intelligence, and Workplace Psychological Safety, and is trained in conflict resolution, culture analysis, and political communication. She has led employee research and HR program development in Canada and the U.S., and now runs her own consultancy, leveraging her global perspective and passion for diversity to drive inclusive, research‑based solutions.