Maureen Rubalcaba, Ph.D., is a dynamic consultant & coach with over 20 years of experience empowering individuals, organizations, and communities to increase capacity, build resilience, and create lasting impact. With a background in education systems and institutions and a deep commitment to equity and inclusion, she specializes in guiding leaders and teams toward sustainable growth, improved wellness, and meaningful transformation. Dr. Maureen’s career has been dedicated to advancing access & success for marginalized and underrepresented populations. Her leadership in academic programs, student support services, and organizational & personal development has helped countless individuals gain self-sufficiency, confidence, & the tools to achieve their goals. Transitioning into consulting and coaching was a natural evolution of her passion—bridging the gap between vision & action for those seeking to drive change at both personal & institutional levels. Dr. Maureen’s journey is one of resilience & defying the odds.

Her journey is deeply personal. The loss of her son, Michael, to SIDS shattered her world in an instant, forever altering her path. As a bereaved parent, she intimately understands the raw, disorienting pain of profound loss. Losing her son shattered Dr. Maureen’s world, a loss that irrevocably altered the landscape of her life in an instant.  As a bereaved parent, she understands the raw, visceral pain of unimaginable loss, the disorientation of navigating a world forever changed. This deeply personal experience has forged within her an unwavering strength and resilience, a testament to the human spirit's capacity not just to survive, but to rebuild and find meaning even in the face of profound grief. It is from this crucible of instant change and profound loss that her expertise in grief coaching emerges, not as a detached observer, but as someone who has walked this desolate path and found a way forward. Yet, through this immense grief, she discovered her mission to support others in their healing journeys. Dr. Maureen’s approach to grief coaching is not theoretical; it is lived, informed by her own path of navigating loss and finding purpose beyond pain. 

In addition to grief coaching and organizational consulting, Dr. Maureen empowers professional women to navigate the complexities of leadership while prioritizing their own well-being. Through mindfulness, self-reflection, and restorative practices, she helps women reclaim balance, purpose, and fulfillment—ensuring that success does not come at the cost of personal wellness. As a trusted advisor, Dr. Maureen blends lived experience with expert knowledge to provide practical guidance, data-driven insights, and actionable solutions. Whether working with individuals or organizations, she brings a unique combination of empathy, strategic thinking, and cultural awareness to help clients move from aspiration to achievement. Her story—marked by both profound loss and extraordinary resilience—serves as the foundation of her work, inspiring others to embrace their own strength and possibilities.

Beyond her personal experience, Dr. Maureen brings extensive expertise in organizational leadership, strategic planning, and cultural competency. As a teen mother at 16, she defied the odds, overcoming systemic barriers to earn a college degree—an achievement reached by less than 3% of Chicana teen mothers. A first-generation community college graduate, Dr. Maureen holds an associate’s degree in child development, a bachelor’s degree in social sciences, and a master’s in education (curriculum and instruction). Her drive didn’t stop there; she went on to earn a Ph.D. in Higher Education, Educational Leadership, equipping herself with the tools to create lasting change in organizations and communities. Dr. Maureen’s career has been dedicated to opening doors for others, particularly those facing adversity. She has led the development of impactful programs that foster growth, equity, and resilience, combining strategic insight with a deep commitment to inclusivity. Her work spans nonprofits, government agencies, businesses, and educational institutions, where she leverages her expertise to drive meaningful change.

Dr. Maureen is married and a mother to six children. In honor of her son Michael, she actively dedicates her time to the SIDS community, advocating for awareness and support. A lover of travel and history, Dr. Maureen continues to transform her personal experiences, challenges, and triumphs into meaningful work—creating innovative, equitable spaces and empowering organizations to thrive.  Dr. Maureen Rubalcaba is a compassionate grief coach, seasoned consultant, and strategic leader dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations to navigate change, overcome adversity, and cultivate resilience. A catalyst for positive change, she remains steadfast in her mission to transform vision into impact.