Maria Carmela Martens

Leadership Development Specialist

Maria is a Bay Area native passionate about helping individuals and organizations lead with their strengths. She completed her Bachelor's Degree at San Jose State University and later earned a Master's in Social Work with a specialization in Management and Leadership from the University of Michigan. While in Michigan, she began working with a well-known HIV/AIDS advocacy organization in Detroit, providing HIV testing and counseling to individuals and group therapy for people living with HIV/AIDS. After relocating back to the Bay Area, Maria began working at the macro level, providing training and capacity building services to community-based organizations and community clinics working in HIV prevention, care and treatment.

Maria has over 8 years of experience in project management, program planning and design, organizational development, training and coaching.  Maria received her coaching certification through Leadership that Works, accredited by the International Coach Federation, the only certified program that integrates cultural awareness and social change into the coaching curriculum.

In her free time, Maria enjoys spending time outdoors, cooking, exploring new restaurants and all things fitness. She is a holistic nutrition coach and helps people build healthy habits and improve their relationship with food.​

​Contact Information:  maria@cen.org