Maria is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in government finance, grant administration and organizational leadership. She has led complex budgeting initiatives, developed and negotiated indirect cost rate plans, and overseen the management of millions of dollars in federal and state grant funding. Clients benefit from Maria's deep practical knowledge of compliance and oversight, having directed the continuous monitoring of subrecipients, contractors and third-party vendors involved in grant program administration. Her work includes assessing risk, evaluating internal controls, verifying the proper use of funds, ensuring compliance with federal and state requirements, maintaining documentation to support compliance reviews, and ensuring alignment with 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance) and other applicable regulations.

Maria is also widely recognized for her commitment to financial stewardship and regulatory excellence. She serves as a trusted advisor to public sector clients seeking to maximize funding impact and minimize audit risk. Known for her collaborative leadership style, she excels at building cross-functional relationships, interpreting policy changes, delivering training, and driving continuous improvement across grant-funded programs.

Earlier in her career, Maria spearheaded the launch of a new state agency to administer federal funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). She managed the distribution of over $40 million to subrecipients and more than 200 third-party vendors for energy efficiency retrofits. In doing so, she built internal systems from the ground up while navigating complex federal grant requirements and reporting obligations.