I founded Ancora Vela to bring experienced, engaged HR leadership to organizations at the scale they need.

Over eighteen years, I've built and led HR functions, advised executives, reshaped people operations, and supported complex organizational transitions across financial institutions, private companies, and nonprofits. My work has ranged from strategic planning and compensation design to hands-on systems implementation and sensitive employee relations.

What connects that experience is a belief that good HR leadership combines sound judgment with genuine presence. Strategy only matters when it works for the people and the organization living with it.

Maria Mercado

Founder  ·  SPHR  ·  SHRM-SCP