Maria is originally from Finland, where she completed her IB Diploma before moving to Ireland to earn a Bachelor’s in International Hotel Management. This path led her to work with prestigious 5-star hotels, including the Mandarin Oriental and Four Seasons, and to live in Ireland, the UK, Switzerland, and finally, Portugal. She also holds a Postgraduate Certificate from Nova IMS in Lisbon in Market Research, as well as a TEFL Certificate.

However, Maria’s proudest achievement is being a mother to her two boys, who teach her more about life every day than any degree ever could. She is passionate about understanding children’s behaviour and believes that children thrive through healthy boundaries rather than punishments.

Maria is committed to fostering a child-centred society, as she believes that children are truly the future.