Maria is the founder of "Sustainability Switch Consultancy," a UAE based solopreneur endeavor focused on helping organizations align their sustainability agenda with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. She also serves as Board -Co Chair and UAE Network Leader for the non-profit organization "Lean In Equity and Sustainability," where she contributes to empowering women in the energy transition. Maria is a dedicated advocate for sustainability, specializing in ESG frameworks. As an expert in her field, she works with cross-sector corporate clients and SMEs to accelerate their journey to net zero and achieve social sustainability compliance. Maria holds a Strategic Advisor role for the EU-GCC Green Transition Strategic Project, funded by the European Commission. In this capacity, she plays a pivotal part in fostering collaboration between the European Union and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries on climate action and sustainable development, with a focus on advancing green transition policies and technologies across the region. With sustainability credentials from Cambridge University (CISL) and a Master's and Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Maria possesses a strong educational background. Her international professional experience spans over 22 years in corporate strategy and project operations, having deployed significant large-scale projects and government initiatives. She has expert knowledge in the development, implementation, and performance monitoring of company-wide process workflow frameworks that encompass environmental, social, and governance objectives. Maria is a sought-after keynote speaker on the topics of sustainability, ESG, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.