Maria has 30 years of experience crafting creative communications strategies for clients ranging from home improvement brands and hospitality to food & beverage and non-profits. She’s an expert in building thought leadership and advocacy programs that resonate with stakeholders. Maria has provided her expert counsel to C-suite executives on a range of issues including M&A messaging, public affairs and crises.

Prior to joining LCWA, Maria worked at large and small agencies as well as in-house for Applegate, a stand-alone subsidiary of Hormel Foods, where she led communications and strategic partnerships and served on the senior leadership team, reporting directly to the president.

Maria was born and raised in Chicago and graduated from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. But she spent the bulk of her time at the student newspaper, the Daily Illini, where she served as managing editor.