Maria believes communities across Minnesota are increasingly calling on philanthropy to be smarter and more just. She leads HFJ’s fundraising, leadership development, and grantmaking strategies with that belief in mind. Maria influences and organizes the broader field—notably by serving as co-chair on the Impact Driven Philanthropy Collaborative and on the design team for Freedom Funders—to embrace similar approaches to their own strategies.   

Maria earned her bachelor's degree at Metropolitan State University, and her master's degree and Juris Doctorate at Hamline University. Her years of experience come from working at organizations like TakeAction Minnesota and OutFront Minnesota. She lives in New Hope with her wife Shawn, their children Alejandra and Emmanuel, their dog Luigi, and their cat Magic. 

You can connect with Maria about strategic partnerships at HFJ or about how to get money into our movements for justice and collective liberation.