Mari Diaz on Building BLOOM and The Orange Lab

In a world where education often feels one-size-fits-all, Mari Diaz is building something refreshingly different. This June, The Orange Lab—an innovative learning and certification hub exclusively for women in the workers’ compensation community—is officially opening its doors. What began as a series of weekly masterclasses through BLOOM has now blossomed into a full-fledged platform rooted in empowerment, connection, and bold growth. In this exclusive interview, Mari shares the story behind The Orange Lab, the meaning of its vibrant name, and how it’s set to revolutionize professional development for women across the industry.

BLOOM Magazine: Mari, The Orange Lab is officially opening its doors this June. This is such an exciting milestone. Tell us about the journey that led to this moment.

Mari Diaz: This has been a dream in the making for years, and to see it finally come to life is surreal. The Orange Lab is a learning and certification hub exclusively for women in the workers’ compensation community. It’s built to help women grow, learn, and bloom through courses, workshops, and masterclasses led by some of the most respected leaders in our industry. Back in 2020, we started hosting weekly masterclasses through BLOOM. At the time, we wanted to create a space where women in workers’ comp could connect, learn, and support each other. What we didn’t realize was just how much it would take off. Week after week, we saw the impact these masterclasses had, and we knew we had to build something bigger. That’s where the vision for The Orange Lab was born—out of a deep desire to do education differently and create opportunities that truly empower women in this field.

BLOOM Magazine: Why did you choose to name it The Orange Lab?

Mari Diaz: Orange is such a powerful color. It represents growth, energy, and transformation, which is exactly what this space is about. Orange symbolizes boldness and courage, pushing us to take chances and embrace new beginnings. It’s uplifting and energizing, inspiring us to step outside our comfort zones. It represents prosperity and abundance, attracting success and positive change. Most importantly, it stands for strength and endurance, reminding us that no matter how many times we fall, we rise again. We didn’t want The Orange Lab to just be another education platform. We wanted it to be a place where women feel seen, supported, and encouraged to go after their biggest goals.

BLOOM Magazine: What makes The Orange Lab different from other professional development programs?

Mari Diaz: We’re flipping the script on traditional learning. So often, education can feel stiff, outdated, and disconnected from real-world challenges. The Orange Lab is about making learning personal, relevant, and empowering. We focus on real conversations, real experiences, and real growth. Women in workers’ comp have unique challenges and opportunities, and we want to provide the kind of education that actually speaks to them. Through our masterclasses, workshops, and certification programs, we’re not just handing out information—we’re building a community where women can truly bloom into their best selves.

BLOOM Magazine: You’re also inviting facilitators to be part of this. Who should consider joining, and what can they expect?

Mari Diaz: If you’re passionate about sharing your knowledge and helping others grow, we want you! We’re looking for facilitators who are experts in their fields and want to lead courses, workshops, or on-demand masterclass series. Facilitators will have the opportunity to teach, mentor, and connect with an engaged community of women who are eager to learn. Whether you’ve been teaching for years or this is your first time leading a program, if you have something valuable to share, we want to hear from you!

BLOOM Magazine: What kind of topics are you looking for?

Mari Diaz: We want to cover everything that helps women in workers’ comp bloom in their careers and personal growth. Some of the areas we’re focusing on include:

• Leadership & Professional Development

• Workers’ Compensation & Industry Expertise

• Mindset, Wellness & Personal Growth

• Business, Marketing & Entrepreneurship

• Financial Wellness & Career Growth

• Mental Health & Emotional Resilience

• Women’s Health & Wellness

• Nutrition

BLOOM Magazine: How can someone get involved as a facilitator or participant?

Mari Diaz: It’s easy! If you want to be a facilitator, just email us at teambloom@ommktg.com with your course topic and specialty. Once we receive your submission, we’ll send more details on the program and requirements.

For participants, stay tuned! We’ll be announcing our first courses soon, and we can’t wait to welcome you to The Orange Lab. This is just the beginning, and we are so excited for what’s ahead!