Great to e-meet you!
I'm Marta Zielinska. I’m a psychologist by education, HR professional & Coach by experience, and an expat & recent re-pat by choice. I love working with people and seeing them grow.
I'm passionate about helping corporate professionals build successful careers, work effectively with people from around the world, and become great global leaders.
Growing up, I was interested in all things international. It started with an atlas – which proved to be the most interesting read ever – and continued through learning foreign languages and singing in a choir that hosted international festivals, to getting a corporate job, having regular exposure to people from various global offices and getting certified as a Transformational Coach and Cultural Intelligence (CQ) Practitioner.
In 2015, I came to the UK because I chose to. I wanted to have more international exposure, practice my language skills, and experience “the big world”. What I did not realise is how truly emotional and transformational this experience would be for me!
I cried so many times. I laughed lots as well.
I had so many faux pas.
I made so many language mistakes.
I got frustrated many times.
I learned SO MUCH!
I wanted to go back home too. And then I wanted to stay. And then I was happy again.
I missed my family and friends.
I've been through the emotional rollercoaster and the cultural adaptation process.
I worked with people from all around the world.
I facilitated 700+ transfers in and out of London.
I was building People & Culture functions in 3 vastly different company cultures across big corporate and scale-up environments, both international and UK-based teams.
I made this move a success and created a life and career that I really like and am passionate about.
And in 2024, I decided to stop with the ‘what ifs’ and made a move back to Poland, currently navigating my repatriation adjustment journey.
I heavily invest in my personal development. This ensures that I can serve you in the best possible way, and provide you with a variety of tools and techniques to support your growth.
Here's some formal information on my qualifications:
- MSc Psychology at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, Poland (Specialties: Organisational Psychology, Health/Positive Psychology) (5-year degree)
- ICF-Accredited Diploma in Transformational Coaching at Animas Centre for Coaching in London, UK (140+ hours of training, practice and coaching)
- Train the Intercultural Trainer Intensive course at European Institute for Intercultural Development (EIFID), Amsterdam, Netherlands (65 hours of training)
- Cultural Intelligence CQ Certified Facilitator Level 1 & 2 at Cultural Intelligence Center in London, UK (40 hours of training)
- Business Trainer certification at Grupa SET in Poznan, Poland (211 hours of theoretical and practical training in group facilitation and developing interpersonal skills)
- Training of Intercultural Trainers at Young SIETAR in Barcelona, Spain (18 hours of training)
- Level 5 CIPD Diploma in Organisational Learning & Development
- 10+ years in Global HR roles across international corporate and scale-up businesses, including HR administration, Recruiting, Mobility & Immigration, People & Culture, HR Project Management
- Worked as Mobility and Immigration lead for the London office (1500+ people) at McKinsey & Company
- Managed 700+ transfers in and out of London, including application review as well as logistics, immigration, integration and professional development support
- Built People Operations and Culture at Too Good To Go (in 17 countries at the time!)
- Managed HR Projects spanning Talent and Performance management, Operations, Compensation and Benefits at Gousto