As Women’s History Month comes to a close, it’s important to recognize the women who are making waves right now—those shaping the future in real time. You might not know Flex Media President and Co-Founder and Sweet James CMO, Maria Mallat’s name just yet, but if you drive in Los Angeles, you’ve probably seen her work or are aware of her clients, including Sweet James, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Hollywood Park Casino, Seller’s Advantage, and LA County.
I recently sat down with Mallat to discuss her path, the obstacles she has overcome, and how she’s established herself as an impactful marketing leader in Los Angeles.
Can you tell me more about your work with Flex Media?
After more than two decades in media and 25 years in sales and marketing, we launched Flex Media alongside my partner, Steve Mehr, with a clear mission: to build a full-service marketing agency that truly understands the psychology of the consumer. Having spent my career marketing businesses and brands, I know that great marketing isn’t just about creativity, it’s about strategy, relationships, and delivering real results.
Today, Flex Media is one of the region’s prominent marketing agencies, offering tailored solutions across digital strategy, paid media, brand development, content creation, and high-impact campaigns. As CMO of Sweet James, I’m proud of the work we’ve done to help make the firm a household name. We’ve brought that same energy and expertise to clients like the LA Phil, Hollywood Park Casino, Seller’s Advantage, and LA County. At Flex Media, we lead with care, experience, and powerful industry relationships to help our clients grow, scale with confidence, and achieve their goals.
You are a survivor. Can you tell me about your personal journey as an immigrant from war-torn Lebanon?
When your life begins in chaos—surrounded by war, instability, and circumstances far beyond your control—you gain contrast at a very early age. Before I was ten years old, I had already experienced more movement, uncertainty, and loss than many do in a lifetime.
But through it all, one thing never wavered: the love and unwavering confidence my parents instilled in me. They taught me, through their example, that while you may not control what’s happening around you, you always have the power to choose what happens within you.
I carry that awareness into everything I do. Growing up in that environment gave me one of the greatest advantages in life: perspective. I don’t take where I am today for granted. Every step forward is rooted in gratitude, resilience, and an unshakable belief that growth is always possible.
What are the key facts and principles that you follow to succeed? What would you advise anyone who asked you for advice on how to have a fulfilled life like yours?
Always believe in yourself. Love yourself. Accept yourself fully and unconditionally. True self-acceptance is the foundation of accountability. And to me, accountability is one of the clearest ways to measure real growth.
Do the things that intimidate you and try what you’ve never done before. So many people wait for passion to find them, but the truth is,action breeds passion. New experiences spark self-discovery. You are filled with talent and potential—but you only unlock it when you stretch beyond what you already know. I’m also relentless about the goals I set, and I simply don’t give up. I don’t believe in failure. There’s only quitting—and I refuse to quit. You never know when your breakthrough is coming, so keep going. Don’t give up on your dreams and ALWAYS bet on yourself.
What do you think are your strongest assets?
Empathy is the greatest gift I can offer the world. I believe my struggles have been my greatest advantage because suffering gives you a kind of insight into others that you can’t learn any other way. It deepens your understanding of people, and that understanding builds connection. And to me, love and connection are the meaning of life. Everything else is simply a byproduct of that.
And I believe that’s what makes a true leader—not perfection, but presence. You can’t inspire or guide others if you can’t meet them where they are. Connection is what moves people. And love is what transforms them.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I’ve ever received came from my mom. I was agonizing over a major life decision, paralyzed by the fear of making the wrong choice. I told her, “I’m scared I’ll make a mistake.” She said, “Maybe you will make a mistake. Maybe you won’t. But either way, it’s better to make a mistake than to never make a decision.” Decisions are risky, but they are critical to our growth. We never learn if we don’t decide.
Who inspires you?
Honestly, I find inspiration all around me every single day. I feel fortunate to be surrounded by people who challenge, teach, and uplift me. Starting with my parents. They have been my greatest example in life. Their strength, faith, intelligence, and deep capacity for love have shaped who I am at the core.
I’m a reflection of the people I admire most, the ones I’ve learned from, leaned on, and emulated throughout my life. I’ve been blessed with incredible partners and lifelong friends. I’ve been especially inspired by our partner, Steve Mehr. He’s not only a brilliant entrepreneur, but also a true visionary. His relentlessness, his drive, and his hunger to keep learning—even with all he’s accomplished, continually push me to be better. What moves me most is his sincere desire to pour into others, to contribute to their growth, and his generosity in doing so. I’m infinitely better because of our work together.. To learn from someone you deeply admire is a rare and meaningful gift.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
To be honest, I’m not entirely sure. What I do know is that I’ll be five years better in five years and ten years better in ten. I’m committed to growth and progress, wherever that path may lead. We often try to plan out every step of our lives, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that life usually has something greater in store than anything I could have imagined for myself.
Check out more of our features for more inspiring stories and insights.
Interview Written by: Elizabeth Taylor
Photographer: Josh Fogel
Lighting: Christian Raices
Beauty Editor: Bong Buan
Post-production: Lidiia Berezhna
Layout: Jenn Salmorin
Publisher: Derek Warburton
