Maria Prete

Chief of Staff Director of Business Development

Maria Prete serves as Chief of Staff and Director of Business Development at Shaffer Coaching & Consulting, where she partners closely with Kyle Shaffer to drive the firm's strategic growth, client experience, and organizational execution. She leads business development initiatives, oversees strategic projects, develops operational systems, coordinates leadership development offerings, and helps transform vision into practical, scalable solutions that strengthen both the business and the leaders it serves.

Maria believes that meaningful change happens when thoughtful strategy is paired with intentional execution. She is passionate about helping organizations move from great ideas to lasting impact by creating systems, fostering collaboration, and ensuring leaders have the clarity and support they need to focus on what matters most. Whether designing leadership experiences, managing complex initiatives, or building sustainable processes behind the scenes, Maria brings an organized, relationship-centered, and solutions-oriented approach to every engagement.

In her primary role, Maria serves as the Associate of Strategic & Academic Initiatives for the Missouri Charter Public School Association, where she partners with charter school leaders across Missouri to strengthen academic outcomes and organizational effectiveness through strategic planning, project leadership, and collaborative problem-solving. She also partners with education organizations and leadership teams to support strategic planning, organizational effectiveness, leadership development, and project implementation that builds long-term capacity.

Maria's career in education began in St. Louis as a middle school English Language Arts teacher before stepping into a Dean of Scholars role, where she supported student achievement, instructional excellence, and school culture. Those experiences shaped her passion for literacy, leadership, and ensuring every child has access to the opportunities, support, and learning environment they need to thrive. Today, she continues to bring that educator mindset into every partnership, helping leaders create stronger organizations that ultimately improve outcomes for students.

Based in Chicago, Maria remains deeply connected to the education community that launched her career in St. Louis. She earned her degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, where she was a four-year member of the softball team and was recognized as an Academic All-American. Outside of work, Maria enjoys staying active, spending time with her partner Jake and their dog, Bear. She is always looking for new ways to support leaders who are making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.