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I’ve learned that intentionality isn’t just a skill, it’s a discipline. Somewhere along…
Articles by Maria
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2K followers
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Maria R. shared thisIn 1997, an accident and 12 weeks of leave under FMLA changed the direction of my career. When I returned, I found myself working in HR. My professional goals took a turn from what I had originally planned, and HR became the path I’ve continued to grow in ever since. Baking has remained another passion, one I get to choose when and how to pursue. Most of the time, I bake for friends and family. This time, I challenged myself to create a full spread after working my full-time job leading HR operations. For three evenings in a row, I came home and baked from 6 to 10 p.m. It was a busy few days, but seeing it all come together made every hour worth it. I’m happy to share a few pictures of the finished spread! #HumanResources #CareerJourney #WorkLife #Baking #CreativePassion #PersonalGrowth #ProudOfTheWork
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Maria R. shared thisIt was an honor to host the Tenna team at Firethorn today! We appreciated the opportunity to learn more about how Tenna’s technology helps contractors improve visibility, efficiency, and decision making across equipment and fleet operations. Beyond the technology, this was truly an amazing group of people. Thank you for breakfast. We are grateful for the time, knowledge, and conversation shared with the team. #Firethorn #Tenna #ConstructionTechnology #FleetManagement
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Maria R. shared thisThank you to our Firethorn employees and to construction professionals everywhere for building stronger communities and a better future, one job site at a time. Whether you work in the field or support each project from the office, your hard work, dedication, and expertise matter. Every role contributes to the success of our projects and the lasting impact construction has on the communities we serve. Your work does not go unnoticed, and neither does the difference you make every day. Today, we encourage everyone to take a moment to recognize the people whose commitment, skill, and teamwork keep our industry moving forward. Thank you for all you do! National Construction Appreciation Week 2026! #ConstructionIndustry #EmployeeAppreciation #BuildingCommunities #Teamwork #Firethorn
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Maria R. shared this54 Reasons I Am Grateful Today, I turn 54, and I’ve been thinking about the road behind me. There have been beautiful seasons, difficult seasons, unexpected turns, mistakes, victories, heartbreak, laughter, and more than a few moments when I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. But after 54 years, I know this: I have far more to be grateful for than I have to complain about. I’m grateful for my faith. For God’s grace, His Word, His guidance, the doors He opened, the doors He closed, and every time He carried me when I didn’t realize I needed carrying. I’m grateful for my children, grandchildren, husband, and family. They have taught me that love can stretch far beyond anything I thought my heart could hold. I’m grateful for the people who believed in me and even those who challenged me. Both helped me grow stronger, set boundaries, and discover who I am. I’m grateful for my career and the opportunity to lead, mentor others, have difficult conversations, and make a difference. I’m grateful for resilience, forgiveness, hard-earned wisdom, and the courage to begin again. I’ve fallen, been disappointed, and lived through seasons that hurt, but I kept getting back up. I’m grateful for the little things. Morning coffee. Good conversations. Music that takes me back. Laughter around the table. My dogs. Mr. Shoebox and his ridiculous personality. Even my bearded dragon. 😂 Life isn’t found only in the big moments. It’s found in the ordinary ones we’re sometimes too busy to appreciate. I’m even grateful for getting older because aging is a privilege. At 54, I know myself better. I’m less interested in being who others think I should be and more interested in becoming the woman God created me to be. My past is part of my story, but it doesn’t get to write my future. And perhaps most importantly, I’m grateful that my story isn’t finished. I’ve been loved, forgiven, humbled, strengthened, blessed, and carried. Through every high and every low, God has been faithful. So, 54 isn’t simply a number I’m celebrating. It represents 54 years of grace, growth, people, memories, mistakes, victories, lessons, laughter, tears, and love. 54 years. 54 reasons. One very grateful woman. ❤️ And I’m looking forward to whatever God has planned for the years ahead.
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Maria R. shared thisSometimes leadership looks like being the rookie in the room. I’m relatively new to the construction industry, so when I decided to lead by example and complete a two-hour Excavation & Trench Safety Competent Person course, I thought... why not? Let’s learn something new. 35 questions later… 100%. 💯😂 Naturally, I sent my score to our Safety Committee. And then I may have gotten a little bold. 😏 “HR is competent. Who else can give me a 100?” Operations Director… Challenge accepted. 😂 Now he’s taking the course. And honestly? I hope he gets a 100. He has been in this industry a very long time, and I genuinely want him to knock it out of the park. But this little exchange reminded me of something about leadership: You don’t have to know everything to lead. Sometimes leadership means being willing to say, “I don’t know this yet, but I’m going to learn it.” It means walking into an industry where you’re the rookie, asking questions, sitting in the training, learning from the people around you, and occasionally challenging them to learn right alongside you. 😉 The best leaders aren’t threatened by someone learning something new. They encourage it. And sometimes, a little friendly competition doesn’t hurt either. 😂 HR may be the rookie in construction… but apparently HR is competent. 💯👷♀️ #Leadership #HumanResources #Construction #Safety #HRLeadership #LearningAndDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture
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Maria R. shared thisI had the pleasure and honor to sit in this class last year. Though I consider myself an experienced HR Professional, there is always room for growth and learning something you didn’t know. After all, nobody knows everything. So, if you have the time to invest, take the 10 weeks plunge, you will be glad you did. I entirely recommend it.Maria R. shared this🎯 Looking to grow your HR knowledge, earn a professional certificate, and connect with HR professionals in our community? The Advance Your HR Career Certificate Program is back this fall! Over 10 sessions, you'll gain valuable insights into key HR topics including employment law, talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, compensation, benefits, safety, leadership, and more. Why attend? ✨ Practical HR skills you can use immediately ✨ Real-world instruction from seasoned HR expert Roy Lantz ✨ Valuable networking opportunities ✨ Certificate of Completion ✨ Great preparation for future HR roles and certifications Seats are limited, so register now: https://lnkd.in/e4TaaFAZ 📆 September 16 - November 18, 2026 📍 Fort Pierce, Florida #HumanResources #HRCareers #HRTraining #CareerGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #HRBLC
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Maria R. shared thisThe other day, I attended a networking event where the topic was: Maximizing Employee Commitment, Engagement & Performance. The speaker generously passed around several books, and I grabbed two sets. One for me, because I love a good read. And one to put on my desk. Not because I needed another book. But because I was curious to see if anyone would ask, “What are you reading?” I believe a leader should never stop learning, expanding, and growing; professionally, personally, spiritually, and intellectually. In fact, I love surrounding myself with people I believe are smarter than me. ➡️ They challenge me. 🤓 They teach me. 👀 They expose the places where I still have room to grow. And that got me thinking about something else. Sometimes, we encounter people who seem determined to be the smartest person in the room. I don’t necessarily believe they wake up thinking, “Today, I’m going to make sure everyone notices how smart I am.” I think it’s often much more subtle. Maybe, subconsciously, we all want to feel relevant. ✅ Acknowledged. 💎 Valued. Like we bring something meaningful to the table. But here’s the question I think leaders need to ask themselves: At what point does the desire to prove our value become a barrier to our growth? Can we be humble enough to say, “I don’t know”? Can we sit across from someone with more knowledge or experience and genuinely listen? Can we recognize that someone else’s brilliance doesn’t diminish ours? And perhaps most importantly… Can we still be teachable when we’ve been a leader for a long time? So here’s my challenge: Imagine you walk into another leader’s office and see a stack of books on their desk. Do you think: “They probably don’t need those. They already know what they’re doing.” Or do you think: “I wonder what they’re learning.” And now turn the question inward: Have you capped your knowledge… or have you left room for more? What kind of leader are you? #LeadersNeverStopLearning #Leadership #GrowthMindset #LifelongLearning
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Maria R. shared thisHow we speak about people when they’re not in the room says as much about our character as how we treat them when they are. A question I’ve been reflecting on today: If someone overheard you talking about a colleague, would your words build trust or diminish it? Leadership isn’t just demonstrated through decisions, it is revealed in everyday conversations, especially the ones we think no one is listening to. What kind of leader do you hope people describe when you’re not around? #leadershipmatters #leadbyexample #workplaceculture
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Maria R. shared thisLast week, someone told me they could do something better than I could. It made me smile. One thing I’ve learned over the years is that people often underestimate others based on what they see, or what they assume. The truth is, many of the most capable people don’t spend their time announcing what they can do. Here’s a little secret about me that many people don’t know. I know how to saw clothing, yet I never attended fashion school. I create custom cakes from scratch, yet I’ve never stepped foot in pastry school. I love designing spaces, and I’ve transformed my home with a style that many assume came from a professional interior designer. None of those talents came from a title. They came from curiosity, discipline, practice, and a willingness to keep learning. I’m grateful that God has blessed me with abilities that extend far beyond my job description. Those gifts remind me that if one chapter ever closes, I have the confidence to create another. That’s why I do not underestimate anyone. The quietest person in the room may possess talents you’ve never imagined. Humility often hides extraordinary capability. Never mistake humility for a lack of ability. I’d much rather let my work speak than my ego. What’s one talent you have that most people at work would never guess?
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Maria R. reacted on thisMaria R. reacted on thisSometimes this is what marketing looks like. Leaving the office when it’s already dark outside. People see the events, the booths and the finished product. They don’t always see all the work, last-minute changes and little details that happen behind the scenes to get it there. It’s not always glamorous, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. #Marketing #BehindTheScenes #Leadership
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Maria R. reacted on thisMaria R. reacted on thisMy dad suggested I join the Marine Corps. I share this in honor of Hispanic heritage month. I'm a proud Mexican American. He is the man I honor today and for the rest of my life. Thank you dad may you rest in peace. I said yes at 17 and stayed 20 years. If you're new to my world welcome. I'm Sandra, from sunny San Diego. I grew up around the strongest men and women this country had to offer. And I learned early that energy is a precious resource, and that leadership means channeling both your masculinity and your femininity so they work for you instead of against you. Long before I had language for it, my dad exuded Sexy Confidence™. No fear. Deeply respected. Took charge without asking permission to. Then I joined the Marines and my first boss had the same energy. He could take command of a room and knew exactly when a room needed comfort instead. He wasn't the loud, traditional type. He was quiet. Strategic. Methodical in his body language and his communication. And he knew how to draw the very best out of everyone he led. His example alone carried me through 20 years. Every time I got tested, I asked myself one question: What would the best version of me do right now? Here's what those years taught me as a woman in a male dominated environment: You don't survive by shrinking or by imitating. You survive by authentically embodying who you are and what you stand for. Leadership isn't what you say. ✨ It's how you behave, daily, in front of people who are watching. ✨ And when you give yourself and your people psychological safety, you earn trust. ✨ Trust buys influence. And influence is what lets you show someone what they're capable of before they can see it themselves. That's the work I do now with women founders, executives, and high performers. Glad you're here. 👉 I'm curious, who was the leader that showed you what was possible?
Experience & Education
Volunteer Experience
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Volunteer Parent
Martin County High School - JRROTC
- 2 years 10 months
Education
Volunteered at various activities lead by the JROTC Students and class Sergeant, and Colonel. Cooked at weekend in the woods for two consecutive years.
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College Relations Chair
HR Martin
- 1 year 5 months
Education
In this volunteer role I am responsible for:
• Developing scholarship application evaluation criteria and design the appropriate materials.
• Promoting the scholarship program and internship program to local colleges and universities.
• Evaluating applications and recommend recipients.
• Making recommendations on changes to scholarship program (i.e., scholarship amount, number of recipients).
• Overseeing the internship program. Sending out requests to local HR…In this volunteer role I am responsible for:
• Developing scholarship application evaluation criteria and design the appropriate materials.
• Promoting the scholarship program and internship program to local colleges and universities.
• Evaluating applications and recommend recipients.
• Making recommendations on changes to scholarship program (i.e., scholarship amount, number of recipients).
• Overseeing the internship program. Sending out requests to local HR professionals/chapter members requesting internship postings. Forwarding openings to members of local student chapters or to faculty members.
• Communicating with local faculty/colleges to provide classroom visits to discuss HR topics, the Chapter, internships/scholarships, SHRM membership, etc. Act as mentor to college students seeking a career in HR.
• Recommending community service projects to be supported by the chapter.
• Serving as liaison between members of the college relations committee.
• Participating in the SHRM College Relations Core Leadership Area conference calls and webcasts.
• Participating in the development and implementation of short-term and long-term strategic planning for the chapter.
• Representing the chapter in the human resources community.
• Attending all monthly membership and board of directors meetings.
Courses
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Business Law I
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Compensation & Benefits
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Computer Literacy
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English Composition II
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Industrial/Organizational Psychology
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Introduction to Psychology
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Organizational Change
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Principles of Finances
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Psychology of Learning
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Survey of Mathematical Methods
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Languages
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English
Full professional proficiency
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Spanish
Full professional proficiency
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Portuguese
Limited working proficiency
Organizations
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HR Martin County
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- Present -
Society of Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Membership/Volunteer
- Present -
Alpha Sigma Lambda
Member
- PresentDuly elected and inducted to membership in Alpha Lambda Chapter at Ashford University
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Golden Key International Honor Society
Member
- Present
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