Maria Keckler, Ph.D.
Facilitator
“The leaders who will define the next era aren’t the ones with only technical acumen; they’re the ones who master the irreplaceable human skills AI can never replicate: empathy, trust, communication, influence, and the capacity to build bridges between diverse teams, disciplines, and ideas.”
curious
storyteller
bridge-builder
catalyst
KEY GIGS:
Commercialization strategist for technical innovation, specializing in translating complex research and science into market-ready messaging, brand strategy, and compelling communication for commercial audiences
Seasoned strategic planning facilitator who has led institution-wide planning initiatives across higher education, nonprofit, and corporate contexts— specializing in building stakeholder buy-in and turning complex organizational priorities into clear, executable roadmaps
Trusted advisor to executives and institutional leaders, who has served as presidential speechwriter, executive and international communications director, and strategic thought leadership architect with deep experience translating vision into compelling narratives that move people and drive decision-making
Bestselling author, award-winning researcher, and recognized community leader who has spent decades turning complex ideas into transformational learning experiences; brings mixed methods research expertise equally at home in peer-reviewed journals and on the keynote stage; current research as Adjunct Research Faculty at San Diego State University addresses the erosion of empathy in healthcare
Award-winning innovator at the intersection of human-centered design and emerging technology; brings a rare capacity to bridge the technical and the human, helping leaders and organizations navigate AI and technological change without losing what makes them irreplaceable
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS & RECOGNITION:
NSF I-Corps National Program Impact Champion Award (2024); among the most competitive innovation commercialization fellowships in the country
Bridge Builders named one of 60 Great Business and Leadership Books Written by Women, MagazineCo-Founder, EmpathyRx Lab for Healthcare, San Diego State University
Director, Global Empathy in Healthcare Network (convened by Leicester University, UK)
Contributing Member, Compassion in Medical Education (C-Med) Group, Sanford Institute for Empathy and Compassion at UCSD
Named Top 50 Latino Leaders of Influence, San Diego Business Journal & Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (2023)
Inaugural Dr. Rey Monzon Research Achievement Award, SDSU/CGU Joint Doctoral Program (2023)
2022 International Tribute Award for US/Mexico Cross-Border Collaboration, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce
Instructor, SDSU Osher Lifelong Learning Institute — practical neuroscience, AI literacy, and empathy science
Leadership Mentor, The Chicano Federation Leadership Training Institute
Board Member, The David’s Harp Foundation
Contributing Member, Western States Simulation Alliance