Director of Principal Gifts

Maria brings to The Exchange team more than 30 years of experience in fundraising, market development, and creating strategic alliances in the U.S. and across the world.

As a global-minded fundraiser, Maria excels at connecting and collaborating with partners to develop and secure high-value proposals that drive impactful change. Her work includes serving as Senior Director of Development at Georgetown University, where she launched fundraising efforts in Latin America and secured seven-figure gifts from international donors during two major capital campaigns. She has also served as Associate Vice President of Development at the Richi Childhood Cancer Foundation, where she developed and implemented a comprehensive major gift fundraising strategy.

Maria holds an MBA from Georgetown University, a BA in International Economics from the American University of Paris, and has completed executive education at the Kennedy School of Government in Harvard.

A lifelong learner with a growth mindset, Maria is passionate about writing and reading, meditating, traveling, and performing arts. She is also the proud mother of three.