Maria del Socorro Pesqueira was appointed President of Healthy Communities Foundation in May 2017.
As the eldest daughter of Mexican immigrants, she became a translator, advocate, convener, and bridge for information and understanding at an early age. As a result, justice, equity, and collaborative effort have been her drivers for becoming a passionate servant-leader.
Prior to joining Healthy Communities Foundation, Maria served as President of Mujeres Latinas en Acción, the oldest Latina-led organization in the US that offers culturally affirming services to Latinas and their families. Preceding her time at Mujeres, Maria led the Development and Marketing team at The National Museum of Mexican Art, one of the most prominent first-voice institutions for Mexican art and culture in the US.
Maria has served on several local and national civic organizations and currently serves on the boards of Forefront Illinois, Hispanics in Philanthropy, Shriver Center on Poverty Law, Adler University and Grantmakers in Health.
Maria has received several awards and recognitions including being named a Chicago Community Trust Fellow, a Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow, a Women of Influence by Chicago Business Journal, the Excellence in Community Service award by MALDEF, and the Making a Difference Award by Chicago Women in Philanthropy. Maria was selected to participate in the AJC Project Israel Interchange for National Latino Opinion and Policy Leaders in 2016 and named “40 under 40” by Crain’s Chicago Business.
Maria’s educational background includes a B.A. in Latin American Studies from DePaul University, a mini-MBA in Nonprofit Management from St. Thomas University and Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government Executive Program.
She and her husband, David, reside in Chicago, a few blocks from where she grew up, and are the parents of a young adult son.