Culture and Collaboration

At the intersection of diverse cultures, we foster collaboration that drives meaningful change.

Our mission is to empower individuals and organizations to thrive in a globalized workplace

Our Core Values

Authenticity 

We aim to create workplaces where individuals thrive by being the true selves and bringing their best selves to work. By developing people, we create a ripple effect, contributing to a more understanding and peaceful global community.

Ancestral Wisdom

We deeply respect the ancestral wisdom inherent in all cultures. Rescuing our roots and recognizing the diverse narratives of history, we actively seek, study, and integrate this knowledge in our practices.

Sustainability 

We cultivate global workplaces that prioritize sustainable impact with practices that ensure lasting positive change, nurturing long-term relationships while honoring and caring for the planet.

Belonging 

We believe in the workplace as a venue for personal and professional growth, recognizing its vital role in building a sense of community and identity in today’s digital era.

Marisa Ortiz is more than a consultant; she's a global cultural symphonist. As the Founder and Principal Consultant of Intercultural Talent, LLC, she empowers global teams to thrive in today's interconnected world. With over 25 years of experience spanning Human Resources, International Business, and the nonprofit sector, Marisa brings a unique blend of strategic insight and practical expertise to every engagement.

Meet Our Founder

It has never been a business, it is her mission. In 2015, driven by a passion to dismantle cultural barriers and foster inclusive workplaces, she founded Intercultural Talent. Recognizing the need for flexibility as a new parent, she also saw an opportunity to directly apply her extensive experience to create tangible results for her clients.

The Intercultural Talent Difference

Born in Mexico, she's lived, studied, and worked across continents, from Mexico City to France, Kuwait, and the United States. This firsthand experience fuels her deep understanding of intercultural dynamics, helping her translate this in her work.

A Global Citizen, A Cultural Expert Leader

Connect with Marisa:

Her Expertise, Your Advantage:

  • Decades of Impact: Since the late 1990s, she has been training culturally and generationally diverse teams, fostering collaboration and maximizing potential.

  • Talent Development Mastery: From early facilitation roles in college and local nonprofits to leading global training initiatives at tech company Rackspace, she's honed her ability to unlock human potential. Notably, she led the company-wide Strengths program and earned her Gallup Certification in January of 2015.

  • Academic Rigor: Her academic credentials, including an MA in International Relations and a BA in French and Political Science, provide a strong foundation for her strategic approach.

  • Global Reach: Marisa's work extends across the globe, with clients in the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Asia.

Language Proficiency:

Native Latin American Spanish speaker, fluent in English, with advanced French and Brazilian Portuguese.

Marisa's Top 10 Gallup CliftonStrengths:

1.Connectedness

2.Input

3.Learner

4.Empathy

5.Positivity

6.Intellection

7.Harmony

8.Adaptability

9.Relator

10.WOO

Meet The Team

CliftonStrengths Consultant

Top 5 Strengths:

  1. Individualization

  2. Input

  3. Futuristic

  4. Connectedness

  5. Learner

Sean Attwood

Sean is a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach collaborating with Intercultural Talent. With a background in technology and talent development, he helps individuals and teams unlock their potential through CliftonStrengths coaching and facilitation.

A native Texan with a lifelong fascination for leadership and human potential, Sean brings a wealth of diverse experience to the Intercultural Talent team. Since the early 2000s, his career has spanned technology, team building, leadership development, key account management, recruiting, and workforce and economic development. This rich background provides him with a unique understanding of organizational dynamics and talent optimization.

Sean's journey with the Gallup Strengths method began in 2005, leading him to become a Gallup Certified Coach in 2017. His passion for leveraging individual talents is evident in his experience building IT skills training programs and his work in economic development, where he focused on cultivating regional talent. His expertise in talent acquisition further underscores his ability to identify and nurture potential.

Joining Intercultural Talent as a fellow Gallup Strengths Coach, Sean collaborates on projects, co-facilitating workshops and providing insightful coaching on CliftonStrengths as his schedule allows. His top strengths – Individualization, Input, Futuristic, Connectedness, and Learner – reflect his ability to understand unique talents, gather valuable insights, envision future possibilities, build strong relationships, and continuously grow.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Sean is an avid explorer of outdoor adventures, local arts, music, and comedy. He is drawn to stories in books and film that celebrate the human spirit and its transformative power, a passion that aligns perfectly with his commitment to helping individuals and teams unlock their full potential at Intercultural Talent.

NVC Consultant

Lesya Krasnikova

Top 5 Strengths:

  1. Connectedness

  2. Intellection

  3. Relator

  4. Developer

  5. Learner

With a background spanning business and artisanal creation, Lesya is now focused on the power of Non-Violent Communication (NVC) method by Marshall Rosenberg. She guides individuals and groups in transforming conflict into opportunities for growth and connection.

Born in Ukraine and based in Colorado, Lesya's journey has taken her across continents, fostering a deep understanding of diverse perspectives. After earning her degrees in Business and International Relations in the US, she built a successful career in international account management and co-founded a thriving artisan business, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit and creative talents.

Driven by a profound interest in reconciliation and compassionate communication, Lesya is currently certifying as a Non-Violent Communication (NVC) practitioner. She is passionate about empowering individuals, teams, organizations, and communities to transform conflict into personal growth through compassionate dialogue and the recognition of unmet needs. Witnessing dynamic group efforts achieve resilience without compromise deeply inspires her.

Lesya brings a unique and compassionate lens to Intercultural Talent, informed by her personal experiences and her dedication to NVC principles. Partnering with Marisa Ortiz, she offers remote and in-person facilitated sessions designed to cultivate awareness of habitual thought patterns and provide clients with a renewed perspective on conflict, their role within it, and the power of conscious choices.

Language Translator

Eva Rivas De Miguel

Originally from Madrid, Spain where she worked in the National Museum of Art, Eva has nearly 30 years of experience as a bilingual teacher in the US in private schools since migrating to the United States in the 1990s. With degrees in Spanish Language and Literature, she provides expert translation and interpretation services for Intercultural Talent, bridging linguistic gaps.

Her dedication to education and cross-cultural understanding is deeply rooted in her own journey as an immigrant and a mother. Relocating to Texas, Eva prioritized her children's upbringing while also pursuing her own academic growth, earning degrees in Spanish Language and Literature. Her personal experience navigating new cultures and languages provides her with a unique sensitivity to the nuances of communication.

At Intercultural Talent, Eva plays a vital role by providing expert translation, interpretation, and localization services for learning content between English and Spanish. Her passion for language and her extensive experience makes her an invaluable asset in bridging linguistic divides for our clients.

In her spare time, Eva enjoys Medieval fiction literature, living a healthy lifestyle with her adult children: a veterinarian and an engineer, who recently took her to Machu Picchu for a special birthday celebration. 

Top 5 Strengths:

  1. Relator

  2. Learner

  3. Harmony

  4. Empathy

  5. Input

Operations Intern

Valerie Arroyo

Valerie just completed her double degree in Anthropology and International Studies at Trinity University in the Spring of 2025 and has started her master’s degree in forensic Anthropology at the University of Texas State in San Marcos, Texas. As a first-generation college student, originally from Houston, Valerie was a McNair Scholar at Trinity in a full ride and started working with Intercultural Talent in the Spring of 2024 in office operations, bringing her passion for contributing to social justice through her work.

Her passion lies in contributing to social justice through the identification of unknown descendants. As a future forensic anthropologist, Valerie is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse environment in academia and beyond helping Intercultural Talent with cultural anthropology work as the Administrative Assistant.

Outside her academic and professional work, Valerie enjoys watching movies, shopping locally, and baking. She is a proud daughter, sister, and mother to a sweet, cuddly cat. She values empathy and trust and hopes to be a lifelong learner, bringing these qualities to her role in supporting the day-to-day operations of Intercultural Talent.

Top 5 Strengths:

  1. Relator

  2. Activator

  3. Empathy

  4. Belief

  5. Harmony

Accounting Intern

Sergio Martinez

A recent Accounting graduate from UTSA with Honors, Sergio supports bookkeeping and accounts receivable while pursuing his Master's degree and CPA certification. He thrives on learning and serving local communities and small businesses.

Born and raised in San Antonio's southside, Sergio started as an intern at Intercultural Talent in the summer of 2022 while still finishing his Bachelor's in Accounting. Having graduated with Honors in 2024, he still supports the bookkeeping and accounts receivable areas of the business while working on his Master's in Accounting at UTSA.

He is an aspiring CPA who thrives on learning and serving local communities, small businesses, and nonprofits. His analytical nature and deliberative approach ensure accuracy and attention to detail in all financial matters he handles for the organization.

Sergio enjoys spending his free time with friends, playing video games, catching up on TV shows, and running. His dedication to both his professional growth and personal interests reflects his well-rounded approach to life and work.

Top 5 Strengths:

  1. Analytical

  2. Learner

  3. Individualization

  4. Intellection

  5. Deliberative

Marketing Intern

Melissa Peña

A UTSA Marketing graduate with a passion for intercultural connections and innovation, Melissa brings fresh perspectives on sustainability and AI to creative marketing strategies. Her international experience includes transformative programs in Costa Rica and Italy.

Born in San Antonio and raised in Monclova, Mexico, Melissa just graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) as an Honors student in Marketing. With a passion for intercultural connections and innovation, she combines a deep interest in sustainability and artificial intelligence with her commitment to creating meaningful marketing strategies.

She has gained valuable experience through internships and study abroad programs, including a transformative experience in sustainable living in Costa Rica and a business internship in Florence, Italy. These international experiences have broadened her perspective and deepened her understanding of global markets and cross-cultural communication.

Starting in the summer of 2023, Melissa joined Intercultural Talent as a Marketing Intern, which she finds quite culturally enriching. Her strengths in Relator, Individualization, Learner, Responsibility, and Analytical help her develop personalized marketing approaches while maintaining strategic focus on the company's diverse clientele.

Top 5 Strengths:

  1. Relator

  2. Individualization

  3. Learner

  4. Responsibility

  5. Analytical

Let’s Connect:

Ready to build a more inclusive and effective global team?

Contact Marisa Ortiz today