Natalia Mercado
Organizational Development & Change Leader
I help organizations turn complexity into clarity and strategy into action.
For more than 20 years, I have been building programs, developing people, strengthening systems, and helping ideas move from possibility to implementation.
My career began as an entrepreneur. In 2010, I founded A Woman's Design, one of the Twin Cities' early full-service agencies focused on doula and childbirth services. As the organization grew, I expanded services, built a team of practitioners, developed partnerships, and eventually launched The Nesting Place, a community-based education and support center.
What began as entrepreneurship became the foundation for how I lead today: listening closely, identifying what is needed, building the systems to support it, and bringing people together around a shared vision.
From Entrepreneurship to Organizational Leadership
My work has since expanded from building my own organizations to helping organizations strengthen their ability to serve people, lead teams, and navigate change.
Over the course of my career, I have led teams and consultants, developed new programs and service models, managed cross-functional initiatives, built community and institutional partnerships, and helped translate organizational priorities into practical systems and processes.
I am particularly drawn to the space between vision and execution, when an organization knows where it wants to go but needs help determining how to get there.
That's where I do some of my best work.
For more than 20 years, I have been building programs, developing people, strengthening systems, and helping ideas move from possibility to implementation.
My career began as an entrepreneur. In 2010, I founded A Woman's Design, one of the Twin Cities' early full-service agencies focused on doula and childbirth services. As the organization grew, I expanded services, built a team of practitioners, developed partnerships, and eventually launched The Nesting Place, a community-based education and support center.
What began as entrepreneurship became the foundation for how I lead today: listening closely, identifying what is needed, building the systems to support it, and bringing people together around a shared vision.
From Entrepreneurship to Organizational Leadership
My work has since expanded from building my own organizations to helping organizations strengthen their ability to serve people, lead teams, and navigate change.
Over the course of my career, I have led teams and consultants, developed new programs and service models, managed cross-functional initiatives, built community and institutional partnerships, and helped translate organizational priorities into practical systems and processes.
I am particularly drawn to the space between vision and execution, when an organization knows where it wants to go but needs help determining how to get there.
That's where I do some of my best work.
Beyond the Work
I am a facilitator, speaker, lifelong learner, and community builder who believes leadership can be both strategic and deeply human.
Whether I am helping an organization navigate change, developing a new initiative, facilitating a difficult conversation, or helping a leader make sense of a complex challenge, my goal is the same:
Create clarity. Build alignment. Move meaningful work forward.
I am a facilitator, speaker, lifelong learner, and community builder who believes leadership can be both strategic and deeply human.
Whether I am helping an organization navigate change, developing a new initiative, facilitating a difficult conversation, or helping a leader make sense of a complex challenge, my goal is the same:
Create clarity. Build alignment. Move meaningful work forward.
Featured:
Small Business Revolution: Season 6 (Trailer)
Small Business Revolution: Season 6 Interview Clip
Accomplish With Kylie: WomenVenture Nurtures Female Entrepreneurs
Three Minnesota Female Entrepreneurs to Be Honored at WomenVenture's Annual Event
Force to Be Reckoned With: Celebrating African-American Women-Owned Businesses
Small Business Revolution: Season 6 Interview Clip
Accomplish With Kylie: WomenVenture Nurtures Female Entrepreneurs
Three Minnesota Female Entrepreneurs to Be Honored at WomenVenture's Annual Event
Force to Be Reckoned With: Celebrating African-American Women-Owned Businesses
|
|
On March 23rd, WomenVenture Executive Director, Elaine Wyatt, and client, Natalia Hals, owner of A Woman’s Design, took part in a press conference in support of the Women of Color Opportunities Act. WOCOA is a multi-pronged approach to increase opportunities for Minnesota’s women and girls of color to succeed and prosper—in school, in the workforce, and in small business ownership. Spearheading the event was Minnesota Representative Rena Moran, who is passionate about creating more opportunities for women and girls of color in Minnesota. She recognizes both the essential part they play in the economic and social fabric of Minnesota and also the challenges and disparities they face when it comes to success.
|
|
|
|
"With Natalia's knowledge and calm, encouraging demeanor, I knew that it would be a beautiful experience no matter what happens."
— Andrea K."