Helping teams navigate complexity

  • I guide planning processes that bring teams together to navigate challenging and uncertain landscapes—whether funding, organizational, or political.

  • I love to gather people. I design engaging retreats, meetings, listening sessions and workshops that build meaningful connections and create shared purpose. 

  • I build partnerships across stakeholder groups and support shared initiatives from design through implementation.

About Me

I was born and raised in Maine, and hold a Master’s degree from Stanford University and a Bachelor’s degree from Amherst College. I’ve worked for state government, the private sector, and nonprofits. Maria Millard Consulting is a reflection of my approach to life: collaborative, energetic, and passionate about empowering teams and community.

I’ve advised policy makers across the country, and served as a Senior Policy Analyst at the Maine Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, the Policy Director at the American Alpine Club, and as a Policy Analyst at a non-partisan education policy think tank.

I’ve operated inside government, alongside advocates, and even in rugged mountain landscapes — meeting with colleagues on skis and at the crag for a day of rock climbing. I look forward to working with you, wherever you’re at.

Let's Talk

What colleagues say

  • “Over the course of a six-month period in 2025, Maria was a valuable resource and support to Educate Maine, FocusMaine, GMRI, and the Maine Aquaculture Association as we explored the long-term sustainability and growth of the Maine aquaculture apprenticeship program. Through thoughtful facilitation of dynamic conversations and meaningful engagement with industry stakeholders, she helped ground our work in real workforce needs while guiding partners through productive conversations about strategic alignment, new fundraising opportunities, and program expansion. Her ability to explore comparable program models and new pipelines, as well as identify practical ways to streamline administrative structures has helped strengthen the foundation for aquaculture workforce pathways in Maine.”

    — Hannah Greene, Educate Maine

  • “Maria and I teamed up to consult with a well-known, professional organization in Maine to convene stakeholders, develop a funding model and plan for the future of their programs. Maria was an amazing collaborative team leader. She built strong relationships with the partners, and was able to successfully work through challenging dynamics to find solutions that all parties supported. Maria has a way of cutting through complexity and laying out next steps that is refreshing — and she makes the work fun and enjoyable.”

    — Lucy Van Hook, Principal at Lucy Van Hook Consulting

  • “Maria joined the American Alpine Club team and made a difference from the beginning. Within weeks we were on the ground in D.C. with our first “Climb the Hill” lobbying effort. Maria took that momentum forward to create the kind of public policy shop that our members cared about, benefitted from, and supported with their dues and dollars. She was always willing to spend the time necessary to lead us to the right strategy or process and certainly added to the AAC’s growth.”

    — Phil Powers, Former CEO at The American Alpine Club