Maria Maldonado Smith's Bio
After 16+ years in corporate america, having won sales awards, a promotion to a sales leader and earning tenure as a coach and developer of people, I left the corporate world to do what was put on my heart a few years ago – serving, empowering, and motivating students and professionals to embrace their most authentic selves. My expertise lies in the following areas:
- Interview preparation: career, corporate, and pageantry
- Career transitions and visioning
- Networking and connection
- Motivation, inspiration, empowerment, and support
- Bringing out the very best in YOU and YOUR CAMPUS!
PRESENTATION: Empowering Legacy: Creating a Vision and Culture for the Future
You will delve into building a strong cultural foundation within the chapter, emphasizing the significance of shared core values and mission/vision, open communication, and the impact of what a legacy can do for the future of your organization. You will be empowered to take action, implement change, and assign roles that align with your skills and the skills of your unique members, promoting autonomy, and encouraging leadership.
Learning objectives:
- Understand and apply techniques to create a meaningful vision for personal and chapter goals through the Executive Vision Imagery© process and program.
- Implement engagement and retention strategies to enhance member involvement and satisfaction.
- Foster a positive, inclusive culture that aligns with organizational values.
- Develop a clear understanding of legacy and methods to contribute meaningfully to the chapter and community through the goal setting process.
- Empower members through personal and leadership development to take active roles within and outside the organization.
Watch Maria on the Fraternity Foodie Podcast!
PRESENTATION: Leveraging Your Fraternity or Sorority Membership: From College to Career
Strategies for networking within the Greek community to build professional relationships, engaging with alumni for mentorship opportunities, and maintaining and expanding these connections post-graduation through active involvement in alumni chapters and Greek life events is paramount. You will hear about real-life success stories to inspire, motivate, and encourage you to start utilizing your networks effectively.
Learning objectives:
- Understand how to effectively network and build connections that can aid in professional advancement.
Learn to articulate Greek life experiences on resumes and job interviews to align with job requirements and skills.
- Engage with fraternity/sorority alumni for mentorship and job opportunities.
- Maintain and expand professional networks post-graduation through active participation in alumni events that you create and host.
- Employ storytelling to strengthen your personal brand in professional settings.
- Take actionable steps towards utilizing Greek life networks and resources for your career advancement.