Maria Polak has over 25 years business management experience in a wide variety of industries and diverse roles.   She is well respected in the business and non-profit communities for her strong business management skills, client relationships, and her commitment to getting the job done well.  Additionally, Maria has designed and delivered classes as an Adjunct Faculty member at Franklin University where her contribution to the program is highly regarded.

 Specific areas of expertise

·            Leadership, Coaching, Teamwork

·            Needs Assessment

·            Strategic Planning and Development

·            Business and Sales Development

·            Client/Engagement Management

·            Marketing

·            Communications

·            Financial Management

·            Operational Management

Selected experience

·            Responsibilities at a Washington, DC-based privately held business management consulting firm included sales/proposal support and implementation on federal government engagements including NASA and EPA, and the GSA-USA Services program, a President’s Management Council sponsored e-Government initiative. 

·            Worked at a publicly held Utah-based international training and education firm to recommend, design, and develop organizational and individual effectiveness training solutions in corporate, government and not-for-profit markets such as a multi-year senior executive organizational solution for a regional bank in the State of Delaware, and a professional development training solution for the Central Intelligence Agency. 

·            Worked for a Maryland-based global trade/individual member not-for-profit organization and directed the departmental activities of five functional areas with an operating budget in excess of $3.2 million.  Specific achievements included the negotiation and development of global chapters where none existed before.  Also served as President and Treasurer for an Ohio-based $1.1 million service company.

·            MBA Adjunct faculty at Franklin University, currently teaching: Not-for-Profit Board Governance and Leading in the Global Business Environment (International Business).  Served as Subject Matter Expert for the development of the Board Governance course.

Selected education and training

·            MBA and Skilled Facilitator Graduate Certificate from Johns Hopkins University

·            BSBA, Franklin University, 

·            Online Teaching/Teaching at a Distance,

·            Essential Facilitation,

·            Organizational Career Management and Coaching,

·            Executive Not-for-Profit Education Seminars.