Maria Leister

Maria brings many years of experience in designing and leading in-person and distance-based initiatives that help organizations integrate interdisciplinary and collaborative approaches to solving complex issues. Maria is the Associate Director, BD Leadership Development at Kotter, translating Kotter research into powerful learning experiences and sustaining transformation with each client by leveraging leadership development content. As a faculty member at Harvard Medical School’s multidisciplinary Global Mental Health program, Maria teaches Human Rights at the intersection of the right to health, policy, and justice to leaders from government, international, non-profit, and humanitarian organizations.

Prior to joining Kotter, Maria was the director of a legal clinical program at Harvard Law School. At Harvard, she was instrumental in the design and implementation of leadership and coaching programs, mentoring initiatives, and fellowships. She has consulted with organizations like the International Rescue Committee, Girls Inc., and several international and national government organizations. Specifically, she has designed and facilitated leadership programs for UNICEF, which continue to be used by UNICEF for staff in disaster and emergency settings. Formerly a Harvard University Fellow, Maria holds a BA in Philosophy from Elizabethtown College and a Juris Doctorate degree from IU Bloomington.

Maria is based out of Kotter’s office in Cambridge, MA.