Figure It Out. Faster.

When technology changes faster than the playbook, Maria helps leaders see bigger, move faster, and turn uncertainty into action.

Maria Fernandez Guajardo
Technology Exec, Speaker, Author

AI Is Changing More Than Technology. It Is Changing What Organizations Can Do.

The biggest challenge of the AI era is not access to technology. It is figuring out what it makes possible and changing how organizations think, decide, work and innovate fast enough to capture it.

"An inspiring and invaluable speaker for innovators and builders."

"Maria commands a room. She energized and inspired our teams, driving clarity, motivation, and action. I’d recommend her to any organization looking to elevate its communication and leadership impact."

In a time when AI made every company rethink how it worked, Maria gave the team a blueprint for thriving in ambiguity. The transformation in team spirit and performance was inspiring.

"Maria’s energy and creativity are unmatched. She doesn’t just deliver ideas, she lights a spark that drives teams to think bigger and act boldly."

"Maria gives leaders a map for navigating uncertainty without slowing down. Her sessions spark innovation and you walk away thinking bigger and knowing exactly where to start."

"Maria’s transformative sessions inspired our employees to think bigger and sparked a wave of change during a pivotal moment."

"Maria is one of the best I've ever worked with. Her expertise would be enough to hook an audience, but it's her authenticity that's the most engaging. The audience can't help but to be pulled in, leaving inspired by how she's reframed the opportunities in their work/life."

"Maria captivated the audience, raised the energy in the room in a remarkable way, and delivered insights that clearly clicked with people. The feedback we received was outstanding"

"Maria’s talk was that rare mix of entertaining, insightful, and actionable. It is not often you find a speaker so engaging that everyone felt they were part of an incredible conversation. I’d recommend her for any event that wants to move minds and spark real action."

Former Global Director, Gmail & Meta Video | AI Leadership Speaker

With 25+ years in emerging tech and over a decade leading AI innovation, I’ve built breakthrough products and led teams at Google, Meta, and startups—transforming global platforms and shaping some of the industry’s most impactful AI.

I’m a silicon engineer turned software product executive, a patented inventor, an award-winning organizational leader, and a co-author of a book on startup scaling. Across hardware and software, from computer vision to generative AI, from scrappy teams to Fortune 100s, I’ve helped organizations move fast and get it right.

Now I bring that same energy to stages, boardrooms, and executive teams ready to lead boldly in an age of constant change.

Leading When the Playbook Keeps Changing

Where Speed Meets Meaning

AI is changing what organizations can build, how fast they need to move, and how people work together. Maria helps leaders turn that uncertainty into opportunity by seeing bigger possibilities, moving with greater speed, and bringing their teams with them.

Building a high-performance organization by turning speed with direction into your default way of working.

Unlocking the full creative potential of people, driving extreme collaboration across functions and building a culture that thrives on change.

Crafting bold, adaptive vision and strategy that inspire action, evolve with insight, and scale without losing alignment.

SAIL TO SCALE

Build Something New. Then Make It Scale.

Foreword by Ann Miura-Ko, Co-founding Partner at Floodgate

SAIL TO SCALE

Build Something New. Then Make It Scale.

Co-written by Maria Fernandez Guajardo, Mona Sabet and Heather Jerrehian, Sail to Scale distills decades of hands-on experience building and scaling companies, products and new ventures into 18 recurring mistakes across four critical stages of growth.

Through candid stories, practical frameworks and conversations with founders and executives, the book explores the decisions that determine whether an idea gains momentum, scales successfully or stalls along the way.

Its lessons extend far beyond startups. They apply to intrapreneurs, innovation leaders and teams building new products, businesses and initiatives inside established organizations — anywhere people are being asked to create something new and make it work at scale.

For leaders trying to turn innovation from an idea into something real, Sail to Scale is a practical guide to building, learning, adapting and scaling without repeating the mistakes others have already made.

"Clear, actionable advice to avoid common pitfalls and execute successfully through the challenges of startup scaling."

"A game-changer for anyone steering their business through turbulent times."

"An absolute must-read for all entrepreneurs and investors!"

"A framework for recognizing and avoiding the common errors that can sink a promising startup as well as pointers to guide it to a successful outcome."

"For anyone who wants to build an exponential company, is building one now, or has already built and is reflecting upon the journey."

"Mandatory reading for everyone who wants to build and nurture the entrepreneurial spirit from a place of radical realism."

"A literal GPS for navigating the challenging, but enormously rewarding experience of breathing life into an idea."

"Every founder (and VC!) should read Sail to Scale to avoid startup mistakes."

"A rare gem giving entrepreneurs the nitty-gritty down-to-business guidance they truly need."

"A masterclass on avoiding the pitfalls that sink most startups."

"A practical guidebook to counsel and assist founding teams every step of the way."