Maria serves as a Partnership and Communications Lead at the African Studies Professionals Association (ASPA). She is an accomplished program management expert with 15 years of managing high-level U.S. government-funded projects. She is a keen advocate of gender. 

Maria’s long-grown passion for Africa led her to acquire her second degree in African Studies from Addis Ababa University. She is currently pursuing her PhD in the same field. 

Maria is a talent of many. She owns a hobby/business – YAYA Design. She brings out her creativity producing beautiful traditional clothing designs. What makes YAYA Design stand out from the crowd is she makes traditional outfits functional so that a professional woman can add Habesha designs in her daily fashion ensemble.