I’m Maria. At my core, I believe that people want to live in communities where they feel safe, and desire the same for their kids. With the increasing demands for change, and contention about the use of systems and institutions, I believe calls for dismantling should be accompanied by evidence of alternatives to incarceration. I work to amplify stories of what works and build the body of evidence for solutions. I firmly believe this comes from collaboratively choosing methods and metrics that suit the community, and honor the agency- the voice and choice- of young people. My interdisciplinary and research training in Positive Youth Development, combined with a background in youth justice, and experience teaching enables me to effectively support organizations in a variety of ways.

Past partners have included the Coalition for Juvenile Justice, the National Youth Justice Network, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, and the Vermont Office of the Child, Youth, and Family Advocate. I also worked with an interdisciplinary team to develop and deliver the Promote, Raise, and Optimize Positive Youth Development Certificate, and previously worked at the Columbia University Justice Lab on the Youth Justice Initiatives and Emerging Adult Justice Project.

In my free time, I love gardening, cooking, the Dodgers, dinner parties, going on walks, and watching trash TV— anything to slow my mind and busy my hands. I also enjoy volunteering with Special Olympics, World Central Kitchen, and teaching at Cal State LA.

I look forward to talking with you about potential partnerships to improve the lives of young people.

You can find my latest C.V. here.