Lead Consultant – Stella Maher
The Lioness Within Community is led by Stella Maher, Founder and Lead Consultant
Through nearly a decade of working closely with teenagers in schools and youth settings, Stella observed a consistent and powerful pattern: young people’s emotional wellbeing improves significantly when they feel truly understood, emotionally safe, and connected to their parents.
While her work was centered on supporting young people directly, it repeatedly highlighted the vital role of family relationships and the impact of parent-teen connection on emotional wellbeing at home.
This insight led Stella to pivot her work towards supporting parent-teen relationships, recognising that strengthening connection within families is one of the most effective forms of early intervention.
Her approach focuses on emotional wellbeing, communication, and community-based support, rather than crisis-led or deficit-focused models.
Stella brings together professional experience, reflective practice, and deep respect for lived experience in her work. She supports parents to:
- Understand teenage behaviour in context
- Communicate calmly and effectively during challenging moments
- Maintain connection alongside clear, consistent boundaries
- Build confidence and trust in their parenting role
Her leadership is grounded in collaboration, inclusion, and compassion, with a strong belief that families do best when they are supported early, listened to carefully, and met with empathy rather than judgement.
Stella holds a CPD-accredited Diploma (with Merit) in Personal Performance Coaching and a Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training, supporting her work across community, education, and professional settings.