Who we are and why we are worth trusting
At Rivera Catalyst Strategies, we don’t just prepare you for the future — we partner with you to build it.
ABOUT US
We help leaders navigate complexity, strengthen culture, and achieve measurable business and social impact.
Rivera Catalyst Strategies is a boutique consulting firm that partners with organizations to drive inclusive growth and sustainable transformation.
We specialize in enterprise change management, DEI strategy and audits, culture and employee engagement, community and economic development, and strategic partnerships.
Professional Experience
Maggie Rivera is the Founder and CEO of Rivera Catalyst Strategies
Where she leads a team of consultants delivering enterprise solutions in organizational change, diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI), inclusive growth, culture and employee engagement, strategic partnerships, and community & economic development. Her work empowers organizations to align people, purpose, and performance—creating measurable impact and sustainable growth.
Before founding Rivera Catalyst Strategies, Maggie served as Vice President, Head of Strategic Partnerships, Corporate Social Responsibility, and Inclusive Growth at Stearns Bank, N.A. In that capacity, she led enterprise-wide inclusive growth initiatives, strategic philanthropic investments, community development and CRA lending, and high-impact partnerships—ensuring that mission and market performance were tightly integrated.
Earlier in her career, Maggie held leadership positions at PNC Bank and U.S. Bank, where she was responsible not only for community development, CRA strategy, and underserved market programs, but also for advancing DEI. At U.S. Bank, she served as a DEI strategy manager, developing representation, retention, and leadership pathways for underrepresented talent. At Paychex, she was Director of DEI & Employee Experience, embedding inclusive practices into the employee lifecycle, driving engagement, and scaling enterprise-wide DEI operations.
Maggie is a nationally recognized thought leader and keynote speaker, with engagements at multiple conferences, including Harvard University, where she has shared insights on inclusive leadership, organizational change, and equity in business. Her authentic storytelling and strategic expertise have made her a sought-after speaker across corporate, nonprofit, and academic audiences.
She has been recognized among Crain’s Cleveland 40 Under 40, the 5 Most Influential Women in DEI, and inducted into Marquis Who’s Who. She also contributes her expertise on nonprofit and civic boards focused on economic empowerment, inclusive growth, and community resilience.
Maggie holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (Summa Cum Laude) from Walden University and has completed executive education in leadership and DEI with McKinsey & Company and other leading institutions.
As a consultant, advisor, and speaker, Maggie brings authenticity, strategic vision, and lived experience to topics such as organizational change, inclusive leadership, DEI audits, culture transformation, philanthropic strategy, and building resilient communities.
Consultant
Lindsey Brown-Acquaye
Lindsey has dedicated two decades of her career to the Financial Services industry. Focusing on consumer compliance, audit, fair lending, & community development, Lindsey's expertise shines through her strategic & horizontal style of leadership. Her ability to navigate complex challenges & her pivotal role of enhancing consumer compliance and fair lending programs as former Senior Vice President of Compliance at Valor Bank demonstrates her unwavering commitment to regulatory compliance excellence.
As former Chairwoman of Valor’s Compliance Committee, Lindsey played a critical role in shaping Valor’s compliance strategy. She ensured compliance efforts aligned with regulatory expectations and the Bank’s growth objectives and mission. More notably, Lindsey is frequently recognized and highly appreciated amongst peers and internal stakeholders for her supportive nature and forward-thinking mindset to achieve business and compliance objectives.
Starting her career as a part-time teller, Lindsey has since held diverse roles in fintech-integrated, de novo, and traditional banking environments. Most recently, Lindsey has also immersed herself within the American Bankers Association being named as a 2023 Emerging Leader and engaging with the ABA’s Employee Resource Groups and Women of Color Advisory Committee.
Lindsey actively contributes to numerous community and industry initiatives, such as her former role of Board Member to the Compliance School Board of Regents for the Oklahoma Bankers Association (OBA). Demonstrating her unwavering commitment to community development in underserved communities, Lindsey now serves on the Board of Directors to community development organization, Northeast Oklahoma City Renaissance while also serving as a volunteer HUD Committee Grant Evaluator for the City of Tulsa since 2016.
Lindsey is dedicated to building her personal and professional networks ensuring her perspectives and those of her peers are integrated into the ongoing shaping of the industry's future. Recognizing the inherent value of meaningful connections, she engages in purposeful interactions that go beyond surface level engagement. Lindsey is known for her ability to bring people together, facilitating genuine connections amongst individuals within her network. Whether through casual gatherings, or professional forums, she takes pleasure in creating environments where authentic relationships can thrive.
This approach to her personal and professional pursuits mirrors Lindsey's viewpoint of embracing diversity, fostering understanding, and building bridges across various aspects of her life. Lindsey is further supported by her devoted husband, whose unwavering encouragement fuels her professional journey and their daughter whose vibrancy adds to the completeness of their lives.
OUR MISSION
At Rivera Catalyst Strategies, our mission is to empower organizations to align people, purpose, and performance.
We provide innovative consulting solutions in DEI, change management, inclusive growth, and community development that drive measurable business results while creating meaningful social impact.
OUR VISION
We envision a future where businesses, communities, and individuals thrive together.
Where inclusive growth is not an aspiration but a standard. Rivera Catalyst Strategies aims to be the trusted partner for organizations seeking to lead with equity, innovate with courage, and grow with integrity.