Maria Alejandro (Trainer and Staff)
Maria began her work with the Community Leadership Institute in 2008 Her interest in CLI emerged from her experience in the HLPANR program, a leadership program whose intent includes increasing participation of minority and marginalized communities in federal programs under the US Forest Service and USDA. CLI’s mission of empowering community leaders through transformational servant leadership is a natural fit.
She began her studies at San Antonio Community College and earned a Bachelors of Arts in Native American Studies and Political Science at the University of the Incarnate Word. More recently, she was awarded the Hispanic Leadership Program in Agriculture and Natural Resources (HLPANR) fellowship at the UTSA and completed her coursework for a Masters of Arts in Political Science with concentrations in International Relations and American Politics and Institutions. She is currently working on her thesis in the area of culture, collective decision-making and inclusive democracy. Her interests include cultural studies, civic engagement, inclusive democracy, sustainable development and identity politics. Her interest in working in community also stems from her participation in international travel seminars to Latin America with the Center for Global Education, Augsburg College studying in the areas of sustainable development, indigenous representation, culture and the environment.
Her work experience in academia includes the UTSA Culture and Policy Institute and the Center for Policy Studies as a Research Associate. In 2006, she served as City Council Aide for District 7 Councilwoman Elena Guajardo. Prior to that, Maria worked as a consultant with nonprofits and independent writers, doing research, assisting with data collection and translations. Maria is fully bilingual in Spanish and is trained in ToP© Group Facilitation Methods and Strategic Planning. Currently, Maria serves on the Citizen's Bill of Rights & Responsibilities Advisory Committee of the Civic Engagment and Government Accountability SA2020.
Originally from Eagle Pass, she has lived in San Antonio for 21 years after a brief stay in San Francisco. She has a 16 year old son and travels frequently to Mexico to be with family and continue to learn about her cultural roots.