Marisol Maloney
Marisol Maloney is the founder of Secret Squirrel Consulting, a boutique career coaching and resume-writing business she launched after seeing firsthand how difficult the military-to-civilian transition can be for veterans. After retiring from the Navy and working as a recruiter in defense contracting, she realized many highly qualified service members were being overlooked because their resumes did not clearly translate their military experience into civilian language. What began as helping fellow veterans for free quickly grew into a business focused on resume writing, LinkedIn optimization, interview preparation, salary negotiation, and transition coaching for veterans, military spouses, federal employees, and civilians.
A 20-year Navy veteran, Marisol built a unique career that included emergency nursing, intelligence work, executive communications, and recruiting. She served as a Nurse Corps officer before transitioning into the intelligence community, where she earned top-secret clearance and worked in national security roles. She also served as a speechwriter for a four-star admiral, a role that sharpened her ability to translate highly technical and classified information into language that others could understand. Today, she describes herself as a “vetterpreter” because she speaks both the military and civilian worlds fluently and helps clients bridge the gap between them.
Through Secret Squirrel Consulting, Marisol is passionate about helping people overcome imposter syndrome, recognize their value, and confidently market themselves to employers. She specializes in working with top-secret and secret-cleared professionals, teaching them how to explain their experience without compromising operational security. Whether she is rewriting resumes, coaching clients through interviews, or sharing free advice online, Marisol is driven by a deep commitment to helping veterans succeed after service and ensuring they feel supported during one of the biggest transitions of their lives.
• PMP Certification
• Registered Nurse
• CompTIA Security+
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification
• Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate
• Navy Operations Security Planner
• Project Management Professional
• Primavera P6 Essential Training
• Managing Project Stakeholders
• Microsoft Project 2019 and Project Online Desktop Essential Training
• CCNA (200-301) Cert Prep: Network Fundamentals and Access
• Syracuse University
• Jacksonville University- B.S.
• Joint Forces Staff College
• Salve Regina University- M.B.A.
• USAF Air Command and Staff College- J.P.M.E.
• Firebird Phoenix Award for the First Quarter of 2021
• National Resume Writers Association
• ACT Now Education
• Microsoft Software and Systems Academy
• Institute for Veterans and Military Families
• Veterati
• St. Mary’s Catholic Church Annapolis, MD
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my self-determination and grit. Coming from nothing and working my way to where I am today wasn't easy. My military career and my upbringing made me who I am. People forget about how you get somewhere - they just see where you are now. But it's that determination and grit that got me through the challenges and helped me build this business from the ground up.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be a good listener. Have empathy for others. And really enjoy helping others. It's fulfilling. That's my why - it is fulfilling for me. So many people undersell themselves, and the imposter syndrome is real, especially with women and women of color. I was guilty of it myself when I got out. When I get calls from clients, I get very excited because I really need to pump them up and make them realize that they're worth more than they think they are.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The biggest challenges in my field are helping service members translate military jargon and classified experience for civilian employers and addressing imposter syndrome. The greatest opportunities lie in the high demand for military-to-civilian transition expertise, expanding through speaking and training engagements, and growing a referral-based business.