Maria Maldonado Smith is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and a first-generation college student who went on to build a career as a sales leader in Fortune 500 companies before founding MMS Consulting Firm. Over nearly two decades, she honed her ability to develop people, build high-performing teams, and lead organizations through growth and change.

Through MMS Consulting, Maria created the Executive Vision Imagery™ program, a neuroscience-based framework that helped leaders and organizations clearly define goals, align with culture, and drive results. Her clients included the U.S. House of Representatives, Johnson & Johnson, Disney, Paramount Studios, Cigna, National Grid, and Constellation Brands.

Maria’s journey, rooted in her own experience as a high-achieving student from a low-socioeconomic background, fuels her passion for creating opportunities that change lives. She is honored to bring her experience and vision into work that is bigger than herself: ensuring that more students have the access, resources, and support to pursue higher education and achieve their full potential.