Maria Simon: Redefining Success and Leadership at CFW Careers

Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business

I’m Maria Simon, VP of DEI Practice & Talent Strategy at CFW Careers. We’re a 50+ year-old executive search and coaching firm that we’ve fully reinvented into a modern talent consultancy. We partner with high-growth companies on retained search, leadership coaching, and building values-aligned teams. My focus is on helping organizations design inclusive, sustainable talent strategies that unlock both performance and belonging.

‍Who are your customers?

We primarily work with high-growth and PE-backed companies across industries—tech, manufacturing, consumer, and beyond. Our clients are leaders who care about building strong leadership teams, cultivating authentic cultures, and investing in long-term growth through people.

‍What was your background prior to starting your own business?

I built my early career in enterprise sales, which gave me confidence, financial independence, and a front-row seat to some of the most dynamic businesses in tech. Along the way, I launched an internal women’s network at a fast-paced NYC localization firm, long before I even knew what an ERG was. That experience sparked my passion for inclusion and led me to co-found Changing the Conversation, a women’s network focused on advancing women in business.

‍What made you take the leap to start your own business?

The desire to make a bigger impact. I saw too many talented women leaving organizations before they reached their potential, and I wanted to help change that dynamic. Partnering with Cynnie King and Rachel Fagnant-Fassler in 2014 to launch

Changing the Conversation gave me the confidence to move beyond a traditional corporate path and start shaping spaces where women could thrive. That work eventually evolved into the reinvention of CFW Careers into the firm it is today.

‍Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

No, I thought I’d climb the corporate ladder. But the more I leaned into creating inclusive communities and leading change, the more I realized that entrepreneurship was the natural path. It gave me the freedom to design and work on my own terms while helping others do the same.

‍What is the biggest challenge you have encountered along the way so far and what have you learned from it?

One of the biggest challenges has been balancing reinvention with stability. Leading change inside a long-established business meant honoring its history while pushing forward into new territory. I’ve learned that transformation requires patience and building buy-in one conversation at a time. It also required some tough conversations with former clients who were used to the contingency fee structure and the willingness to step out of my comfort zone and quickly learn about new industries. 

‍What accomplishment are the most proud of to date in your business?

Reinventing CFW Careers into a modern consultancy during the pandemic. What was once a traditional recruiting agency is now a forward-looking firm that supports clients with executive search, leadership coaching, and inclusive talent strategy. Seeing the business thrive in a completely new form has been one of my proudest achievements.

‍What's next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?

We’re focused on helping high-growth companies not just find leaders, but build leadership teams that are cohesive, values-aligned, and built to last. Expanding our leadership coaching practice will allow us to go deeper with clients—bridging individual growth with team performance. We also leverage behavioral assessments to strengthen communication and team dynamics, and we partner with companies to create clear career paths for employees—an approach proven to improve retention and long-term engagement. At the same time, we’ll continue amplifying women’s voices through Changing the Conversation and sharing stories of reinvention and authenticity that spark meaningful change across industries.

‍What is your top productivity tip?

Done beats perfect. If you don’t try new things, you’ll never know if they work, so I focus on action over perfection. I also make it a priority to separate what’s important from what’s merely urgent, because if you let the urgent dominate your day, you’ll never make progress on the things that truly move you forward.

‍On the flip side, how do you avoid burnout?

By carving out time for the things I enjoy: whether that’s travel, time outdoors, or exercise. I make to build these things into my weekly routine so work doesn’t consume everything.

‍What is your approach to work-life balance / integration?

I lean toward integration rather than strict separation. I’ll answer emails or texts on weekends or while traveling, but I also make sure to prioritize rest, exercise, and family. For me, it’s less about drawing rigid lines and more about ensuring all parts of my life have space to thrive.

‍What is one thing you wish you had known when you started your Entreprenista journey?

That the path is never linear. I used to think there was a “right” way to build a business or a career, but the truth is, each chapter prepares you for the next: even the setbacks. I wish I had embraced earlier that experimenting, adjusting, and reinventing are all part of the journey. 

‍What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?

Your journey doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. Social media can make it seem like everyone is wildly successful and perfectly balanced, but what truly matters is staying aligned with your own values. Build a business and a life that give you peace of mind and a sense of purpose, not just the appearance of success.

‍Learn more about the Entreprenista League and join today

‍