Safe Communities
Good Schools
Thriving Neighborhoods
A Multifaceted Leader:
Maia wears many hats, serving as an entrepreneur, community advocate, non-profit director, wife, and mother of four school-aged children. Her dedication extends beyond personal roles, as she actively works to empower others.
Championing Communities:
Maia's passion for community is evident in her various endeavors. In addition to her work on the OSPI Race and Ethnicity Student Data task force and Governor's Commission on Hispanic Affairs, Maia is the Executive Director and Founder of the Center for Latino Leadership, a civic-engagement, education-oriented nonprofit serving Washington State. She founded the organization to empower, inspire and equip the Latino community of Washington to engage in state and local government.
Building Bridges:
Maia's leadership transcends political divides. She consistently seeks common ground and champions initiatives like student loan forgiveness to encourage bilingual students to become teachers. She served on the Race and Ethnicity Student Data task force at OSPI as part of the Opportunity Gap Oversight Committee and was Legislative Liaison to the Governor’s Commission on Hispanic Affairs. Her work tackles disparities in both education and public works.
Deeply Rooted:
Born on an Air Force Base in Mississippi, Maia grew up in a military family as the oldest of five siblings and has lived all over the United States. At 17 she decided to stay in Washington and call Lakewood home. Maia attended Clover Park High School and was a Running Start graduate from Pierce College at 17 years old. Maia became a single mother while in college but completed her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Pacific Lutheran University by age 20 with her daughter by her side.
Dedication to Service:
Maia grew up in a military family. Her mother is a retired combat veteran, and her father currently serves in the Army National Guard. From her participation in the Civil Air Patrol and Junior ROTC as a kid to her role as an Honorary Base Commander at JBLM, Board Member at Tacoma Arts Live, involvement with Coffee Oasis, and member of the Catholic Daughters Association, and Military Order of the World Wars, Maia has consistently given back to her community and honored those who serve. Her story is one of resilience, dedication, and a deep commitment to positively impacting the world around her.