Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Del Mar Motta.
Hi Maria, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Colombia, where I began my career as a journalist and television presenter. At 22, I moved to Canada and quickly immersed myself in a new media landscape—producing television programs, presenting national news and continuing my education, all while building a career in both English and French.
Storytelling was my first profession, but it also became the foundation of everything I would later build. Media taught me how to understand people: what captures their attention, what shapes their decisions and how different audiences connect with ideas. It also sparked my passion for data—not simply as numbers, but as a powerful tool for understanding behaviours, identifying opportunities and helping brands connect with the right audiences.
Moving to Canada was a defining chapter. I arrived with ambition, curiosity and a willingness to adapt—embracing a new culture and building a professional network from the ground up. Over the past 20 years, my career has evolved across media, marketing, business growth and strategic partnerships. I have worked with major Canadian and international organizations, led high-value partnerships and helped brands connect strategy and creativity with measurable results.
Today, I lead media sales in Canada for dunnhumby, an international leader in customer data science, while continuing to develop X Strategy Lab, the strategic marketing consultancy I founded.
Travel has also been central to my journey. It has taught me that intelligence is not only about what you know, but also about how well you understand people whose experiences differ from your own. Speaking Spanish, English, French and Italian has allowed me to move between cultures—not simply as a visitor, but with genuine connection and curiosity.
My life today reflects all these influences: my Colombian roots, my Canadian career, my Italian family and the many places that have expanded my perspective. I believe we do not have to leave our identity behind to build an international life. Our roots can travel with us—and become one of our greatest strengths.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No road is completely smooth—and honestly, that is part of the adventure. Moving from Colombia to Canada meant rebuilding my life and career in a new language, culture and professional environment. I had to prove myself again, create a network from the ground up and learn how to turn being different into a strength.
There were also career changes, unexpected setbacks and the ongoing challenge of balancing ambition, entrepreneurship, motherhood and family life across cultures. But I have always believed that challenges are inevitable, so I choose to see the world as a place filled with solutions. That mindset allows me to remain creative, adapt quickly and keep moving forward without letting difficult moments define me. Every challenge has taught me something—and many of my greatest opportunities began as situations I first had to overcome.
That resilience is also why I feel strongly about helping other leaders grow with clarity and confidence. I believe success should be conscious: not only about what we achieve, but why we pursue it, how we create it and the impact we have along the way. Understanding your strengths, your purpose and the role you want to play in the world is essential to building success that feels truly meaningful.
For me, that clarity is supported by intentional daily practices. Meditation, exercise, breathwork and positive thinking help me remain grounded, focused and connected to myself. They remind me that sustainable leadership begins within—and that our greatest strength comes from learning how to lead ourselves before trying to lead others.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
X Strategy Lab is a strategic marketing and growth consultancy I created with two clear objectives: to help companies and individuals understand their unique strengths and focus their efforts on what will generate the greatest return—and to educate leaders so they can make stronger, more conscious decisions.
Our work begins with data. We analyze both objective information—market trends, performance, audiences and opportunities—and subjective insights about who our clients are, what differentiates them and what they want to achieve. From there, we develop the right strategy, tactics and priorities to transform their potential into measurable results.
We specialize in growth strategy and executive leadership. We help companies and individuals identify opportunities, strengthen their positioning and develop high-impact content, events and activations that drive real business results. Through strategic communication, leadership training and our LEAD framework, we also equip leaders to understand their strengths, make confident decisions and guide their teams more effectively. What sets us apart is how we connect insight, strategy, and execution. My background in journalism, media, marketing and corporate partnerships allows me to combine data-driven commercial thinking with powerful storytelling and a deeply human approach.
Ultimately, X Strategy Lab is about making every action matter—helping companies and leaders focus on what will create the right return, transform ideas into confident decisions and achieve meaningful, measurable growth.
How do you define success?
I define success as having the freedom to make decisions that align with my values while creating meaningful results for others. It is not only about revenue, titles or recognition—it is about growing without losing yourself, building a life you genuinely enjoy and leaving people, organizations and communities stronger than you found them. For me, success is impact with purpose.
Pricing:
- first 30 minutes consultation is free
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.xstrategylab.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariamottatalks/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-del-mar-motta-b76b7614/
