Rini Fonseca-Sabune, J.D., M.S.

Rini Fonseca-Sabune, J.D., M.S., is the Principal of Rini Fonseca-Sabune Consulting and a Strategic Partner with Mariposa Leadership, Inc. Rini brings over twenty years of experience as a government leader, civil rights attorney, educator, and DEI professional to her coaching. A sampling of her experience includes serving as New York City’s first Chief Democracy Officer, a Karpatkin Fellow and Staff Attorney at the ACLU Racial Justice Program, and a Skadden Fellow and Staff Attorney at the Urban Justice Center. As an educator and facilitator Rini developed and delivered many programs, such as a first-in-kind, year-long social justice seminar. Internationally, she has worked with Partners in Health in Rwanda and as a secondary school teacher in Uganda.

Rini draws on multiple research-based approaches and builds a foundation of trust and psychological safety with her leadership coaching clients to:

• Understand the systems that have shaped them and those in which they are currently operating in order to navigate them most effectively.
• Align their unique strengths, values, and goals in order to achieve maximum impact in their roles as leaders.
• Enhance specific leadership competencies such as executive presence, influence, collaboration, and strategic thinking in order to best serve their teams and organizations.
• Work productively and effectively across all forms of difference.

Rini works with Directors to C-level leaders across a variety of functions and sectors. Recent clients include:

• Technical leaders: Coached technical women in a male-dominated company and field to increase influence and impact.
• Vice-President: Coached new Vice-President of a leading financial services firm to increase self-awareness and build a deliberate and effective executive presence and communication style to increase impact and influence.
• C-level leader: Coached Executive Director of national non-profit during rapid growth phase of organization, including managing diverse leadership team and board, building positive organizational culture, creating systems to support growth, and navigating identity.
• C-level leader: Coached seasoned K-12 education institution leader on managing volatile constituencies during COVID-19. Developed communication and relationship-building skills and a dynamic and nimble leadership style in response to an ever-changing and high-stress environment.
• Founder: Coached founder of a start-up arts organization to identify and leverage its strategic position, develop public and private partnerships, and increase fundraising. Supported leader’s growth in relationship building, communication skills, and crisis management.

Rini brings a very unique and impressive education to her coaching:

• Doctor of Law, J.D., Cum Laude, Harvard Law School
• Masters in Science of Teaching, Adolescent Education, Fordham Graduate School of Education
• B.A. in Social Studies, Cum Laude, Harvard University
• Coaching: Certified Coach Professional from Baruch College’s Zicklin School of Business

Clients appreciate Rini’s infectious energy and warmth. Outside of work that energy shows up in her love of running and biking — including doing marathons and bicycle commuting in New York City. She lives in NYC with her young family and coaches globally virtually.