As an Senior Associate at Strategies 360 in Southern California, Maria is responsible for a variety of tasks to ensure client projects run smoothly. Maria is responsible for researching client issue areas, mobilizing community organizations, cultivating strategic relationships with policymakers, developing creative collateral, and drafting communications content. With experience working in policy writing, coalition building, and political strategy, Maria brings a diverse skill set to support a broad array of client needs.

Prior to S360, Maria was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown as Commissioner on the California Student Aid Commission. While serving as Commissioner, she provided policy analysis on the distribution of the $2.6 billion-dollar financial aid budget and worked in conjunction with California’s colleges and universities. Maria also has expertise working with organizations that address Hispanic/Latinx issues, climate change, and homelessness.

Maria earned her degrees in Political Science and Public Policy from the University of Southern California. With her passion for education, she mentors young women in accessing higher education, whether it be through the admissions process or financial aid. Maria is drawn to the West because the diversity allows for her to ‘transport’ to anywhere in the world at any time.