Mayra Salinas, Professional Business Coach
Even before landing her current gig as residential life director at New York University, Mayra Salinas had always had a talent for making others feel welcome and heard. It’s this innate quality that later prompted the first-generation Latina to pursue her dream of starting a professional coaching business. When she’s not mentoring first-year NYU students, Mayra spends her free time building and scaling it.
“My combination of experience working in business and education pairs well in the coaching industry as I work to coach change makers and entrepreneurs through change,” she says. “I never saw myself doing what I do but I know that everything happens for a reason and we have to trust that we’re exactly where we need to be in life.”
Keep reading to meet this mujer de magia.
Grace Gavilanes: I’d love to know more about your professional background. How did you get to where you currently are?
Mayra Salinas: My pathway was created by a strong work ethic, strategic thinking, passion, and a sprinkle of happenstance. It was a winding road but I studied International Business and worked in consulting and realized I wanted something different. This decision led me back to school for my masters degree in Higher Education where I stumbled upon student affairs and residence life. Since then, I have worked in higher education for seven years and currently serve as director of a first-year residence hall at New York University (NYU). Most recently, I received my Executive Coaching Certification from NYU and I’m so excited to use these skills with my students, colleagues, and coaching clients.
In my spare time, I am building and scaling my professional coaching business which has been a passion project turned side hustle. My combination of experience working in business and education pairs well in the coaching industry as I work to coach change makers and entrepreneurs through change. I never saw myself doing what I do but I know that everything happens for a reason and we have to trust that we’re exactly where we need to be in life.
GG: How would you say your upbringing and cultural background contributed to your career aspirations?
MS: I think my upbringing and cultural background is the root of my success and intrinsic motivation that guides my career. Although I’m the first person in my family to attend college, my parents understood the power of higher education and expected us to attend college—it wasn’t an option. Their high expectations translated into a strong work ethic that has served me well. Even though I didn’t become the lawyer my entire family originally wanted me to be, their acceptance and continued support of my endeavors and career has contributed to my overall success and for that, I am forever grateful.
““Yes, I’m proud of my accomplishments, education, and accolades but I’m realizing that I’m falling in love with the person I am becoming and that’s such a powerful thing.””
GG: What advice would you give to someone hoping to follow a similar career path?
MS: I would encourage anyone to really think about how they want to spend their time and the quality of life they want to live. Find a mentor or a coach that can challenge you to think about all aspects of your career so you can make an informed decision. If you’re looking into higher education, entrepreneurship, or coaching as a career path, I am always happy to chat.
GG: What accomplishment are you most proud of, both in your personal and professional life?
MS: Personally, I’m so proud of my brothers! We all have had different college and life experiences that have allowed us to create the lives we want and that’s such a beautiful thing. Being the oldest sibling is something I’m always proud of being.
Looking back, I’m so proud of my younger self for taking the leap to study abroad in Barcelona for my junior year in college. I didn’t realize how pivotal that time of my life would be until now. It allowed me to become more independent and culturally intelligent by exploring the world, learning about different people and appreciating our differences. It was a privilege and life-changing experience.
Yes, I’m proud of my accomplishments, education, and accolades but I’m realizing that I’m falling in love with the person I am becoming and that’s such a powerful thing. I’m most proud of my work ethic, empathy, creativity, self-awareness, and ability to bring people together and make them feel seen. I’m a work in progress but I’m enjoying creating the quality of life that best serves me and my family.
GG: Imposter syndrome is a very real thing in our community. Have you experienced it? If so, how do you reconnect with yourself?
MS: Absolutely! I have and continue to experience imposter syndrome at times and that’s okay. I think I’m able to reconnect with myself through journaling, affirmations, and therapy. We have to remind ourselves that confidence doesn’t equal competence. There are so many factors to imposter syndrome and I would love to highlight an article in The Harvard Business Review called "Stop Telling Women They Have Imposter Syndrome" that might help reframe and re-educate on the topic.
GG: What does being Latina mean to you?
MS: Being Latina means so much to me! It means authenticity, connectedness, cultura, and familia. It means breaking the status quo, being a pioneer, and serving as representation for those who follow. For me, being Latina is one of my salient identities that I embrace wholeheartedly.
I hope people recognize that being Latina can look, feel, and mean something different to everyone, and we need to honor that spectrum of Latinidad within our own community.
