About Us

About Us

Meet the Founders

We started Solra with a shared belief: cultural intelligence isn’t just a skill — it’s a way to deepen connections, promote personal growth, and create change.

Solra is rooted in cultural wellbeing. Our work is the meeting point between identity, belonging, and personal and community growth. We believe that by strengthening this foundation, individuals and communities can lead with more authenticity, empathy, and resilience.

Though our paths are different, they’re deeply complementary. 

Together, we bring both the inner and outer dimensions of cultural intelligence and wellbeing to our work: the emotional and the strategic, the reflective and the practical.

Solra is our offering to you. It is a space where cultural wellbeing is constructed in collaboration with each other.

Meet Our Team

Maria Garcia

Maria is Portuguese and grew up across several countries, attending international schools and experiencing cultural transitions from a young age.

  • Completed the IB program
  • Studied intercultural psychology and specializes in cultural transitions and identity
  • Experience teaching and mentoring across age groups — from toddlers to seniors
  • Taught in the PYP curriculum and worked in socio-emotional development through positive education
  • Hosts and coordinates creative and personal development workshops
  • Offers individual mentoring focused on emotional resilience, creativity, and belonging
  • Writer and editor on Medium and Substack, exploring cultural identity and wellbeing
Maryam Shams

Maryam is Iranian, with a background in cultural and business studies. Having lived and worked in multiple countries, she brings deep cross-cultural insight to her work.

  • Culture lecturer and mentor focused on soft skills, diversity, and their impact on business and personal growth
  • Creates workshops and content that empower personal and professional growth
  • Founded her own startup and gained hands-on entrepreneurial experience
  • Former marketer with clients across various industries, delivering noticeable ROI
  • Active member of Portugal’s entrepreneurship ecosystem
  • Committed to building cultural awareness and integration