Maria Huntalas – Chief Marketing Officer

Maria Huntalas leads AArete’s marketing and communications strategy, overseeing brand positioning, corporate communications, and go-to-market initiatives that strengthen client relationships, generate demand, and contribute to the firm’s business growth. As a member of the executive leadership team, she partners closely with business leaders to expand AArete’s market presence and connect marketing investments to business outcomes.

Maria brings more than 20 years of marketing and communications leadership experience across technology, cybersecurity, life sciences, and professional services. She began her career in management consulting and government affairs in Washington, D.C., including five years at Booz Allen & Hamilton supporting Department of Defense telecommunications initiatives. She later held senior leadership roles at IBM, Tenable, and BioMed Realty, a Blackstone portfolio company. During her tenure at IBM, she held several global marketing leadership positions, driving integrated marketing programs that contributed to significant pipeline and revenue growth. She also helped lead a major transformation of IBM’s marketing organization, advancing more customer-focused, data-driven approaches to marketing and executive engagement.

Maria has also served in executive and advisory roles with growing businesses, helping strengthen their market positioning, build marketing capabilities, and pursue new opportunities for growth. Known for her collaborative leadership style, she is passionate about developing high-performing teams, encouraging new ideas, and bringing people together around shared business goals.

Maria holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Stanford University. Her industry recognition includes being named among the Influential 50: Female Executives in Business (2026), a San Diego Business Journal Leader of Influence in Advertising, PR & Marketing (2023), and a Globe St. Woman of Influence in Marketing & Communications (2022).