Maria Meally, MSc IR/HR

Founder and CEO

Originally from Ireland, Maria started her career in Luxury Brand Management where she excelled in establishing a personal connection with clients. After 3 years in Management, and completion of her MSc in Human Resource Management, she moved to Toronto. She joined a large healthcare provider as part of their HR and Recruitment team. It was here that she realized that HR and Recruitment staff are constantly looking for new ways to solve old problems as well as helping all stakeholders win. Wanting to continue building teams and recognizing that relationship building was a natural strength, Maria then joined a boutique search firm, primarily focused on Private Equity and Investment Banking.

After moving to a large multinational agency in 2015 and establishing exceptional relationships in the Taxation and Audit space, she felt ready to offer a more consultative service.

She started Theory Y Search to specialize even more on function and specialization - providing a deeper level of dedication and client service. Maria is heavily involved with female entrepreneurship in New York City and Toronto, giving her time as a Mentor and Activator with Coralus. Coralus is a radically redesigned ecosystem that supports, finances, and celebrates female innovators.

Maria has a BA in Philosophy and English, a Higher Diploma in Business Studies and completed a Master’s Degree in Human Resources and Industrial Relations in 2009. As part of her Master’s year long thesis, Maria delivered a key-note speech. This speech detailed an Employee Engagement Initiative as well as recommendations devised for Medtronic, the world's largest medical device company. It outlined key areas that the company could focus on to increase employee engagement and retention. An area that she is still hugely passionate about.

This speech discussed Theory X versus Theory Y Management. Theory Y assumes that employees get intrinsic satisfaction from their work and take pride in doing the best possible job. A theory that fits nicely into the recruitment approach we champion.

Maria lives in New York City with her husband Robert and baby daughter Isla.