a)plan coaching

Specializes in:

  • Leadership and Executive Development
  • Intercultural Communication and Diversity & Inclusion & Belonging
  • Team Development
  • Personal Growth 360

Santalynda supports and challenges individuals and organizations to maximize their contributions and lives as they define success!

Leaving a legacy of empowered individuals and organizations that leverage diversity maximizing their contributions and enhancing lives.

A dynamic organizational consultant, executive coach, facilitator, trainer, and thought leader Dr. Santalynda Marrero draws on her expertise as a counseling psychologist and 30 years of experience in helping individuals, teams and organizations to propel their careers to the next level. Her belief in story as “data with a soul” that engages mutual regard and leverages talent led her to co-author the book: The Diversity Calling: Building Community One Story at a Time.

Santalynda enjoys coaching across cultures and generations, sharing defining moments that reveal our patterns as a way to move beyond self, or other imposed barriers, to foster successful beginnings and transitions. She has come to recognize that successful people, especially the underrepresented, find creative ways to open doors that might not otherwise be open for them. As a co-founder of LatinaVIDA she continues to support the advancement Latinx and other underrepresented talent through planned talent management efforts, mentoring, and coaching across career spectrum.

Prior to launching SM Consulting in 1998 in California, Santalynda held several internal positions, at Stanford Hospital and Medical Center, Avantek/Hewlett-Packard, Bell Laboratories, and Rutgers University where she received her doctorate in Counseling Psychology. She writes extensively with an emphasis on engagement and coaching for women on the blog Fire Breathing Women/Mujeres Que Respiran Fuego.™

Education & Credentials    


  • EdD, Rutgers University, Counseling Psychology
  • MA, Rutgers University, Counseling Psychology
  • BA, Douglass College, Spanish Literature and Education K-12
  • Faculty – (Former) Summer Institute of Intercultural Communication – Reed College

Dr. Marrero’s clients range both nationally and internationally across sectors PepsiCo International, LinkedIn, Cities of Berkeley and Oakland, Kaiser, Amgen, to name a few. Her lively and inspirational presentation style makes her a highly sought conference keynoter and panelist. Her fluency in Spanish has led and her to consulting work on leadership and diversity/inclusion in Latin America (Brazil, Venezuela, and Mexico) and Puerto Rico. She was an invited speaker to the International Women’s Conference at the University of Havana, Cuba in 2018.

Client Testimonials

“Santalynda was instrumental at the time of my move to the US from Europe joining the Global Marketing Team of my company. Her deep understanding of cultural diversity in business and life coupled with an upbeat personality made the difference to me.”

J Emanuela Balleria, Senior Director, PKU Franchise Lead Global Brand Management BioMarin

“Santalynda serves her clients with a brilliant mind and compassionate heart. This combination ensures ultimate alignment and nourishes her clients in all the ways that matter in achieving the highest levels of leadership. Her enthusiasm for your increased awareness of self and purpose is evident in her insightful questions and the celebration of your successes. Those who choose to work with her will experience a magical reveal of who they are, how they show up, and why they were built for the lives they are living.”

Sheila Lewis, Interim Director, Marketing & Communications, Tides

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