Meet Maria Rijo
I was raised between worlds—Portuguese by birth, British educated, with family ties across Brazil, Angola, Macau, Canada, and France. I’ve lived in Lisbon, Madrid, London, Beirut, and now Copenhagen, learning not only languages, but the subtleties of how presence, elegance, and perception shift across cultures.
My work is rooted in a lifelong dedication to the art of communication—in all its forms. I am trained as a professional classical musician, and for years, I worked within academia as a lecturer and researcher, guiding students, mentoring creatives, and supporting departments to move beyond their limits, both intellectually and artistically.
These experiences shaped the foundation of my first consultancy, Cross Culture Consult—born from the need to help individuals and organizations navigate cultural complexity with awareness, fluency, and grace. My work supports Danish and international clients worldwide in bridging the gap between cultures, whether stepping into new markets, leading global teams, or refining leadership communication across borders.
But over time, I came to recognize another layer beneath professional success:
The quieter, more intimate work of presence itself. Through working with founders, leaders, and women in moments of transition, I witnessed how often we are ready to step into the next chapter—yet find ourselves without the support to embody that shift fully.
This is where The Presence Edit was born.
Not as styling. Not as coaching. But as a private consultancy offering personal refinement and presence mentoring for women (and men) seeking to align their external expression with their internal evolution. I don’t believe in reinvention. I believe in refinement.
In the soft power of showing up fully as yourself—without the need to explain, prove, or perform.
This is about presence that lingers.
Not louder. Not more. Just clearer.
Maria Rijo Lopes da Cunha
Founder, The Presence Edit & Cross Culture Consult
THE PERSONAL PRESENCE REFINEMENT SERVICE
The Presence Edit
A private mentoring experience for personal presence, aesthetic alignment, and soft power across cultures.
In my work with founders, leaders, and internationally minded clients, one theme often repeats itself:
Success is not just about what we say, but how we show up.
The Presence Edit was created as a companion to my leadership and cultural consultancy—designed for those moments when your outer expression no longer fully reflects your inner clarity.
Whether you are stepping into visibility, moving between cultures, re-emerging after time away, or entering a new season of leadership, this mentoring experience supports you in refining your presence with elegance, ease, and resonance.
Because presence is not performance.
It’s alignment.
For personal presence refinement and aesthetic alignment, explore: