Maria Maier

Maria Maier is a dynamic leadership coach and organizational development expert with a deep passion for empowering leaders and teams to achieve their full potential. With an MBA and certification from the Maxwell Leadership organization in 2020, Maria has committed herself to helping individuals and organizations facilitate growth and transformation. She is also a Cialdini Certified Professional, having partnered with Dr. Robert Cialdini, author of Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, to become a Founding Member of the Cialdini Institute.

Maria’s expertise in ethical influence and leadership development has positioned her as a trusted coach and consultant to executives, driven professionals, and high-performing teams. She has worked extensively with governmental agencies, educational institutions, and corporate leaders, offering tailored programs that foster leadership qualities, enhance performance, and create lasting, positive change.

Maria founded Step Up & Thrive LLC, a NYS and NYC WBE certified business providing Executive Coaching, Leadership Training & Development, and HR and Labor Management Services. The partnership with Vizient, national healthcare improvement company, made it possible to deliver strategic HR and labor management solutions to various healthcare institutions.

Maria’s prior experience includes her role as Chief of Staff in the Mayor’s Office of Volzhskiy, Russia, where she spearheaded structural changes within City Hall and launched a housing program that benefited thousands of residents. Her immigrant journey to the U.S. at age 24 has driven her fierce determination to live a highly intentional life, helping others to do the same. For 14 years, Maria held various roles in the higher education arena, where she built bridges across trustees, donors, students, and faculty, closing communication gaps and enhancing organizational effectiveness.

Maria is an accomplished public speaker and trainer. She delivers keynotes, workshops, and team-building sessions on leadership, communication, and influence, sharing her insights with local and national audiences. Maria’s upcoming book, Influence Advantage, co-authored with a leading expert in influence science, promises to provide actionable strategies for mastering the art of ethical influence.

Maria lives in Upstate New York, with her husband and their four children. She is also the President of the CNY BizTalkers Toastmasters Club, where she continues to mentor emerging leaders and sharpen her public speaking skills.

Professional Certifications

· Founding Member of the Cialdini Institute, Certified Cialdini Professional

· Maxwell Leadership Certified Executive Coach, Business Consultant, Speaker

· DISC Certified Consultant

· Rainmaker Summit Alumni and Speaker Program Graduate with Bill Walsh

• Toastmasters International
• Gallup Training
• Master’s Degree/Economics/Management, Volgograd State University

Clients, current and past:

• Central Association for Blind and Visually Impaired, Willow Network, GPO Credit Union, Amercian Heart Association, OHM BOCES/PTECH, CNY SHRM, MVSHRM, Mohawk Valley Latino Association, Mohawk Valley Business Women Network, Fred Astaire – Pennsylvania and Ohio region, Mohawk Valley Community College, NYSTEC, Mohawk Valley Economic Development, NY Life Insurance Company, Crystal Clear Financial Group, Clinton Early Learning Center, Hamilton College, Volzhskiy City Hall