Maria Chavez Wilcox Joined YWCA In 2016 As The Organization’s First Latina Chief Executive Officer. She Has Over Thirty Years Of Experience As A Nonprofit Executive, Social Services Advocate, Community Leader, And Philanthropist. Previously, Maria Was President And CEO At Childhaven, And Spent 15 Years As President And CEO Of United Way Of Orange County.
Maria currently serves on the board of the National YWCA USA and Downtown Seattle Association, and has been a member of the International Women’s Forum, NAFE, Seattle Rotary, Association of Fundraising Professionals, and Chair of Seattle University’s Nonprofit School of Management. In 2018, she was named one of Puget Sound Business Journal’s Women of Influence.
Maria graduated from Boston University with her Master’s degree in Administration and Bachelor of Science in Education, with an additional certificate from the Nonprofit Management Institute at Harvard University.
Maria is fluent in Spanish, French, and English and grew up in Lima, Peru. When she’s not at work, she enjoys reading biographies of inspirational leaders, long walks, and spending time with her husband Jeffrey and two cats Baxter and Bailey.
What drew you to serve the YWCA in this way?
As an immigrant and woman of color, I know all too well the powerful meaning of ‘empowerment’ in attempting to overcome challenges and roadblocks in my life. I am committed to improving the lives of all women, especially our BIPOC women to not only survive but thrive and am grateful for this tremendous opportunity to make a difference!