Success Seeker MARY ANN MASUR of Synergy Consultants Holds the Key to Achievement
by Sabina Dana Plasse
Possessing the uncanny ability to make people feel empowered is the rare gift that makes Mary Ann Masur the successful woman in business she is today. There is no spell or magic potion, it is simply the ultimate and unconditional belief in life and people. It is her conviction that sublime happiness exists and it is in reach for anyone who desires it.
As a professional coach, Masur has twenty years of business experience behind her and has found the unique ability to combine her passion for professional coaching with her inherent sense of philanthropy. As a board member and treasurer for the not for profit organization, Friends of the Family, she has found the secret to balancing work and volunteering. This sense of empowerment and altruism Masur has developed in her life is both inspiring and in the grasp of every woman who possesses these same passions.
Originally from Louisiana, Masur found her way to Maryland through a company expansion making Baltimore her home and eventually the foundation for her own business, Synergy Consultants. Throughout her career she has worked in a variety of businesses from the steamship industry and commercial real estate market to an unending commitment to civic service. She has served as president of the Junior League of Baltimore and a board member to the Everyman Theatre, The Family Tree and co-chairperson for Literacy Works. Making efforts to combat the issues of homelessness, literacy, domestic violence, family support, child abuse prevention and support for the arts, Masur has defined her own business goals. Finding solutions in management, planning and development are surprisingly parallel to those of the needs of most of her philanthropic endeavors.
Through programs such as the “Leadership for Extraordinary Performance” at the Darden School of the University of Virginia and Landmark Education Curriculum, Masur has become proficient in assessing issues and problems in helping businesses and individuals achieve their optimal performance in all facets of growth. It is in the principles of achievement where Masur has found the link between her philanthropy and business. Masur explains, “After learning about Friends of the Family, I thought it was a fantastic organization to strengthen families and provide an opportunity for people to become more productive citizens in the community.” She continues, “I think that a lot of women who are in the family centers and receive that support are able to turn their lives around and are able to become proactive and shift how they view themselves. I find that a very appealing message and they put it into practice. What I think is very important is that the family is emphasized, but the organization is particularly focusing upon strengthening women’s confidence and their ability to be proactive and take initiative in their lives, not seeing themselves as victims. It is something I do in my business. I work with people to increase their awareness and shift their perspective to be proactive and accomplish what it is they want to achieve.”
Understanding the process of building confidence and leadership skills makes Masur a perfect fit with the needs of those of Friends of the Family because the goals are so similar to those of her own. Whether it’s business, family or personal growth, it’s all connected. “I think this is a universal message for women no matter what socioeconomic class you’re in. You may find yourself in a circumstance, but it is how you react, respond and what you are going to do that really makes the difference,” tells Masur.
Through her professional coaching Masur has the unique ability to see situations in both business and personal relationships that need assistance for a variety of reasons, whether it’s business development, leadership assessment or personal organization. “Some of the people that I coach are people who are trying to grow their businesses. When they see what their leadership style has been, then we start looking at how they can shift their perspective. Often leaders shift their perspective from what they can get from their employees to what they can give. This is a principal we use in volunteer motivation,” says Masur.
Not only does Masur’s guidance change business, but it goes beyond the workplace. She reveals, “People do see tangible results - increased energy plus more joy in their lives. They have more energy and excitement about what they are doing and that is very powerful because it attracts business.” Helping people see results is part of Masur’s own business objectives which she is, “…passionate about it. It gives me tremendous energy to see people have light bulbs go off and to see them make shifts, get excited about what they want for themselves and make changes to accomplish their goals.”
Masur knows that whether it’s your professional
career or your own personal ideals that need improvement that sometimes
it takes a coach, like it does a personal fitness trainer to make you
aware of what your potential may be. “What I do is connect with people
to create the awareness and supportive environment so they can achieve
their desire. We all want more balance in our lives, more joy and more
energy- that’s what juices me. When they feel good about what they are
doing and their work life is under control and they are energized- that
is a benefit to the whole family. Everyone knows when employees are
happy the employer is
a beneficiary.” SW
Mary Ann Masur, president of Synergy Consultants, LLC, is a professional coach, serving organizations and individuals. She was one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women in 2000. She can be reached at ma.masur@verizon.net or at 410-377-7323.
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