Hi there! I'm Maria.
A builder of iconic brands, I became the first Latina CEO in the restaurant industry. Now, I empower you to pivot & thrive.
About Me
Background
Dreams & Goals
Superpowers
I was born and raised in Puerto Rico.
When I was still young, I lost my father in a terrible accident. That moment shattered my world and shaped everything that came after. My mother, a teacher, gave us strength the only way she could, yet grief left us all carrying more than we knew how to.
At 23, I became a mother myself, at the time, rai
I was born and raised in Puerto Rico.
When I was still young, I lost my father in a terrible accident. That moment shattered my world and shaped everything that came after. My mother, a teacher, gave us strength the only way she could, yet grief left us all carrying more than we knew how to.
At 23, I became a mother myself, at the time, raising my son without a safety net. Then, I didn’t have the luxury of formal training or financial stability. What I did have was grit. My first job was washing dishes. From there, I learned what survival looked like- and I kept climbing.
I became the first Latina CEO in the restaurant industry. I sat in boardrooms I was never supposed to enter. I led brands people thought couldn’t be saved. I delivered results, and built cultures rooted in performance and humanity. And yes, I also know what it feels like to be pushed out. To lose it all publicly. To mess up and deal with the "messy midle".
I’ve had to rebuild my life more than once. Each time, I’ve carried scars, and each time, I’ve chosen to believe those scars could become maps- for me, for my family, and for the women coming behind me.
I write, I speak, and I build companies because I want people to know that leadership is not perfection. It’s scraped knees. It’s losing your grip. It’s stepping into the fire- and somehow finding yourself again and again.
Most of all, I want women, especially women of color, to know: you are not alone. Your story matters. Your fire refines you. And the seat at the table is not just something to give- it’s yours to claim.
Superpowers
Dreams & Goals
Superpowers
I’ve spent my career building, scaling, and transforming brands in some of the toughest, most dynamic industries. My skill set is rooted in resilience, sharpened by real-world crises, and proven in both startups and global enterprises.
Executive Leadership & Transformation
- 2X & First Latina CEO in the restaurant industry.
- Skilled at steppin
I’ve spent my career building, scaling, and transforming brands in some of the toughest, most dynamic industries. My skill set is rooted in resilience, sharpened by real-world crises, and proven in both startups and global enterprises.
Executive Leadership & Transformation
- 2X & First Latina CEO in the restaurant industry.
- Skilled at stepping into complexity, stabilizing operations, and charting bold new growth strategies when stakes are high and transformation is non-negotiable.
Strategy & Brand Building
- Expertise in positioning early-stage concepts to scale nationally.
- Known for reimagining brand narratives, unlocking customer loyalty, and driving cultural relevance.
- Built new prototypes, growth strategies, and brand frameworks for iconic and inception brands.
People & Culture
- Deep belief in building people systems that connect performance with purpose.
- Experienced in creating inclusive leadership cultures, balancing accountability with empathy, and advocating for women and women of color to break through the “broken rung.”
Boardroom & Investor Relations
- Navigated founder dynamics, private equity, and complex investor boards.
- Skilled at aligning leadership teams and stakeholders around bold but pragmatic growth plans.
Resilience & Reinvention
- Proven ability to rebuild personally and professionally after setbacks.
- Brings candor to leadership lessons- teaching others what it really costs to lead.
- Combines executive rigor with lived resilience, strategic outlook and a deeply human voice.
I inspire leaders to show up with grit, grace, and authenticity. My edge isn’t just strategy- it’s reinvention, and the ability to turn pressure into power.
Dreams & Goals
Dreams & Goals
Dreams & Goals
At this stage of my journey, my dreams are no longer just about the next title or company. They’re about voice, impact, and legacy.
Writing
I write to tell the truth about leadership- the fire, the scraped knees, and the resilience it takes to rise again. My dream is to publish books that don’t just inspire, but also equip leaders- especial
At this stage of my journey, my dreams are no longer just about the next title or company. They’re about voice, impact, and legacy.
Writing
I write to tell the truth about leadership- the fire, the scraped knees, and the resilience it takes to rise again. My dream is to publish books that don’t just inspire, but also equip leaders- especially women and women of color- with the lessons I wish I’d had. Writing is how I leave behind wisdom, not just stories.
Speaking
On stage, I feel alive and ready to give. My goal is to create rooms where people see themselves in the stories- whether it’s a CEO facing political battles, a young leader doubting their worth, or a woman navigating the “only one in the room” reality. Speaking lets me turn setbacks into power and give others permission to lead with grit and grace.
Creating & Curating Concepts
Hospitality is in my DNA. I dream of building and curating brands- restaurants, experiences, and lifestyle concepts- that spark connection, belonging, and joy. From Chef & the Baker to Gatheria Studio, each concept is a reflection of culture, creativity, and care. My goal is to curate spaces where people don’t just eat or gather- they feel seen.
Legacy of Influence
My ultimate goal is to blend these passions into a movement: writing that heals and teaches, speaking that inspires and equips, and brands that embody culture and connection.
Through Hilmaro, LLC, I am building not just businesses, but a legacy of truth-telling leadership and lasting impact.
