Testimonials
Andrew, HR Director at Skills for Health
" Maria's facilitative expertise in conflict management and communication was invaluable to our program, which supports individuals transitioning into new roles. Her response to our needs was not only timely and flexible but also demonstrated her deep understanding of the subject matter. Maria worked closely with us in advance, customising the workshop to address our unique challenges. Thanks to her, our team's ability to engage effectively through conflict has at least doubled, leaving us much better equipped to handle future challenges"
Heather, Training Director at United Health
"Maria is an inspirational and a deeply committed leader. She brings her broad knowledge and years of experience to bear every day. This spans career coaching , mentoring and training. She is not afraid to challenge creatively and collaboratively in service of delivering excellence. She helped me modify key areas in my working patterns and those of my team via solutions-driven development workshops. I would recommend Maria very highly to anyone who wishes to align their goals with the values of the organisation and develop their teams"
Jacqueline, Head of Talent & Professional Development, The Cabinet Office & No 10
"Maria has been selected as a career coach for the Inspiring cohort leadership programme within GCS for supporting civil servants, providing coaching as part of their professional development. Maria has an engaging personality whose approach to people and communities is ideal where coaching and encouragement is important in developing new leaders"
Saira, Prova Healthcare
"I worked with Maria at a time when I had experienced a real breakdown trying to balancie a busy job and family life. I had enjoyed a successful career at various senior management roles in the NHS for over 10 years and was feeling lost and suffering from exhaustion. Maria helped me to look at all those issues as an opportunity and be more positive and courageous, to work out the hurdles and set new goals that lead to infinitely more rewarding paths. Within three months, I had made a decision to move on from permanent employment and set up my own consultancy, which is prospering today and allows me that work life balance. Being a parent needn't keep anyone from their dream job "
Christel, Director Career Services, Brunel University
"Maria has created this innovative approach to leading a career with confidence and authenticity. Delegates were empowered to find their very own 'voice', and to realise so many achievements that had not been acknowledged for too long"
Vicky, Global Information Reporting & Analytics, PwC
"I had the pleasure of getting connected with Maria in a period when I needed a career shift and I was looking for a new challenge in my life. Her approach and technique as a career coach has helped me to identify new pathways, people and environments that gave me an energy boost and at the same time to develop new skills and qualities. Her coaching style is inclusive; she knows how to engage closely with the individual and most importantly, she has the charisma to utilise the breadth of her experience to meet the individual’s needs and expectations. Maria knows how to support, guide and motivate and mainly how to elicit suitable responses that will help leaders and their teams to align goals with purpose and achieve more"
Michael, GP, South East London
"Maria works with integrity and passion. Her experienced and skilful coaching helped me to achieve change that improved my personal performance and ability to lead effectively"
Jane, Nurse Practitioner , Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
" I reached out to Maria a few months ago because I was struggling with my load of work in the ICU as well as being a wife and mom. Maria was able to recognise immediately the signs of burn-out as she has been working closely with healthcare professionals for over a decade. Maria helped me to visualise the impact of my sacrifices not only on myself but on my family too and she empowered me during our coaching sessions to map out what I wanted my life to be. I did apply for a new post that brought along flexibility to allow me that so much needed work/life balance. Maria offered professional advice and reviewed my CV, online presence, and ran through interview scenario training with me which built my confidence and secured this very new chapter. I look forward to continuing to work with Maria as I am now looking to progress within my role and wish to preserve my work-life balance to allow me being present for my family and friends"
Yelena, Director, TeleSign
"It was an amazing session. Maria gave us great insights about how to search for jobs and keep contacts in London. She is an excellent listener, very attentive, and has loads of knowledge about reflection tools to help you move forward with your goals. After those few hours with her, I came back with new ideas to improve my leadership development ”
Penelope, Solutions Engineer, Rubicon Project
"I met Dr Maria Ilia while I was embarking on a career change away from teaching. Dr Ilia's work facilitated me to reflect upon my professional targets and set exciting new goals. I am now working in my new dream job as Solutions Engineer for a global ad tech exchange. It’s awesome because I’ve been given the change to continue to learn and plan my career progression. I am now working to develop my profile as a full stack software engineer whilst learning intensive French. I can truly say that Dr Maria Ilia helped me to realise my career goals in a time when I was really quite lost!"
Artemis, UK Health Security Agency
"When applying for a position in the public sector Maria guided me through every stage of the application process. Her expertise and meticulous approach ensured that I produced a winning CV and covering letter. Maria was the career coach who provided me with concrete and constructive criticism and her advice was always frank and strengthened my application. She took me through likely interview questions and helped me polish examples. As a result of her help I was offered the post"
The Princes Trust - Westminster Mosaic Programme Director
"I would like to say thank you to Maria for her support and practice of systemic coaching for my team. It helped me maintain my resilience and flexibility at a time where the career development programme for over 16s and unemployed youth was expanding across London. Maria helped us in developing relationship dynamics for my team members that was key in implementing this award winning programme in the midst of turbulent changes"