Mercedes Martin

With over two decades of experience with Strategic Business Consulting, Inclusion Coaching, Global Diversity and Leadership Development, Mercedes Martin brings a radically different approach to her work. As a Business and Leadership consultant, she sheds new light on the topics of business transformation, disruption, and innovation.

Mercedes believes that jumping on the latest model, theory or buzz word, without first exploring the deeper personal meaning and business context, in fact inhibits transformation and mindset disruption, both of which are essential for —-leading in today’s business environment. She navigates uncharted waters by first examining basic core human needs: to be seen, be heard and to belong, and builds from this premise.

Her approach is to examine how her clients view power, authority, and influence, while exploring personal experiences and current worldviews on the topics. Unlike many leadership consultants, she weaves the political, social and economic impact of these topics, to establish a cultural context for the group and the work at large. Whether it’s through delving into Samba, as a way of analyzing Brazilian business culture or teaching storytelling techniques to bring about connection and empathy, she draws upon her creativity to create synergy between the business and social culture of the group. This brings about a collective sense of belonging that’s long lasting and impactful.

Before launching her independent consultancy, Mercedes worked at Ernst & Young (EY) for 10 years as Talent Development and Organizational Change Consultant and as an Executive Coach.

Prior to her tenure at EY, she was EVP Business Transformation and Innovation at Ashton212, consultant firm. Before that, she was co-founder and CEO of In Partnership Consulting, specializing in business strategy, leadership development, and global diversity. She worked with executives in small and mid-sized businesses in the Americas, West Africa, and Europe.

A pioneer of global leadership and diversity, Mercedes devised training programs for several Fortune 50 companies, including PepsiCo, Procter & Gamble, Shell Oil, and Kellogg’s.  In these engagements, she developed and designed ‘learning labs’ that catapulted participants into taking purposeful action.

Early in her career, Mercedes served as a member of the United States Air Force, initially as a Critical Care & Trauma Nurse and later as Staff Development Officer. Her passion for coaching, and training stems from what she experienced and learned in this setting.

Mercedes holds a Bachelor of Science in Transcultural Nursing from the University of Miami and a Master of Science in Leadership Development from the University of San Francisco. Among the countries in which she’s worked are Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, El Salvador, England, Mexico, Nigeria and Spain, as well as the United States.