Maricela (Mah-REE-seh-lah) serves as the Director of Community Engagement at the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada, where she leads initiatives to connect local nonprofits, donors, and community members, fostering collective impact through philanthropy. 

She is a proud first-generation Mexican-American and University of Nevada, Reno alumna with a deep-rooted passion for community engagement, equity, and access. With a background in nonprofit leadership and public service, Maricela has spent the last decade building partnerships, leading outreach initiatives, and advocating for underrepresented communities worldwide. Maricela also holds a Masters in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from Arizona State University. 

Maricela is deeply committed to building strong, resilient communities in Northern Nevada. She currently serves on the board of the Nevada Latino Alumni Chapter and is dedicated to empowering the next generation of Latinx leaders through philanthropy and inclusive community building. She also sits on the board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals-Sierra Chapter and the Autistic Resilience Network. Known for her heart-forward leadership and collaborative spirit, Maricela continues to champion spaces where culture, community, and compassion intersect.

In her free time, she enjoys gardening and spending time with her two special-needs pups.