As Global Director, Financial Planning & Analysis, Maria will lead efforts to strengthen institutional financial management in all of WRI's offices. She will oversee the Financial Planning & Analysis, Financial Systems and Cost & Pricing Teams.

She brings over 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector, specializing in budgeting and forecasting, financial reporting and analysis, board reporting, grant management, capacity building and training, audit and risk management, business process improvements and financial systems implementation.

Prior to joining WRI, Maria was the Director - Global Finance for the Rainforest Alliance, an international non-profit organization with a $100 million annual budget and 800 employees working in over 60 countries to improve the livelihoods of farmers and forest communities. She worked cross-functionally with various departments and offices across the globe and is a talented leader of finance, accounting, compliance, consulting and administrative teams. Prior to that, she was a Finance Manager for E+Co, another international non-profit organization in the renewable energy sector with operations in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Maria holds a B.A. in Economics from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ. She was born in Quito - Ecuador but has made NJ her home for over 30 years. She currently lives in Wayne NJ with her husband, Luis, their two sons, Julian and Ian and their dog, Milo.