I’m Maria Jakabova, a senior professional specializing in Communication, Change Management, and Inclusive Culture. I create strategies that foster engagement, trust, and meaningful change across organizations. With a passion for sustainable leadership and evidence-based solutions, I teach, consult, and lead initiatives that shape better workplaces.

I have created communication and marketing campaigns on EMEA and global levels for corporate companies but also worked with public organizations, universities, and NGOs. During my career, I have lived and worked in Slovakia, China, the UK, and I am currently based in the Czech Republic.

International Experience

Born and raised in Slovakia, I moved to the Czech Republic after finishing high school, where I graduated in gender studies and journalism, later earning my master's degree in media studies. During my master's studies, I worked for Slovak commercial television TV Markiza as part of the online team responsible for internet news. After graduation, eager to explore, I moved to China and spent seven months in Guangzhou, a huge international business hub. Working as a sales and marketing manager for a luxury Chinese hotel, I had the chance to cooperate with consulates and international chambers of commerce from around the world. I still consider this opportunity the most exciting and shaping moment of my career.

Holistic Approach to Communication

Soon after my return from China, I moved back to Brno in the Czech Republic, where I have been based ever since. My passion for exploring and multiculturalism never faded, and I continued working with many international companies. I helped these companies with marketing, PR, establishing meaningful internal communication, and managing changes through the principles of PROSCI methodology. In communication, my true expertise lies in a 360° holistic approach. I believe what and how you communicate must be reflected in what you advertise about your company and how you treat your employees and talk to them. Since I’ve worked as a journalist, in PR, marketing, internal communications, and change management, I bring this holistic expertise based on my own experience and knowledge.

Combining research-based evidence with practice

I thrive on combining research-based evidence with practical application, which is why I have led courses on Sustainable and Inclusive Leadership at Mendel University in Brno.

Celebrating our individual uniqueness and fairness are my core values, and I have always been very active in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I), proudly calling myself a feminist. As a journalist, I wrote extensively about these topics, later implementing them into internal strategies at the companies I worked for. I have led several employee groups focused on enhancing company culture and most recently shaped the DEI strategy for Thermo Fisher Scientific in Brno, where I led a local DEI employee group focused on multigenerational dialogue, women's empowerment, LGBTQ+ rights, and the needs of colleagues with disabilities. I have provided consultancy on DEI topics and fostering company culture to various private and public organizations.

I also have extensive experience conducting workshops, delivering presentations, giving speeches, moderating discussions, and organizing various events, including panel discussions and gatherings.

Civic Engagement & Advocacy

In recent years, I have been involved with the NGO Bez Mytu (formerly Bez Trestu), which focuses on domestic and sexualized violence and its reflection in jurisdiction and legal processes. I am also a strong advocate for democracy and have worked with civic organizations focusing on protecting democracy in Slovakia. With my international friends, we are currently bringing to life the first initiative called Slovak Women Empower to support Slovak women active in the public sector.

Current Endeavors

Currently, I am self-employed, helping companies with communication, change management, fostering company cultures, and providing consultancy on DEI.