Maria G. Cervantes | 2024 Latina of Influence
Hispanic Lifestyle is pleased to honor Executive Director UCI-OC Alliance Maria G. Cervantes as a Latina of Influence. Ms. Cervantes will be recognized for her leadership in our community during Hispanic Lifestyle’s Connecting Latinas of Influence | Los Angeles, to be held on October 10, 2024.
Maria is a mission-driven leader with over 25 years of diverse experience in local and national community partnerships. Born in Michoacan, MX and raised in it’s sister city of Santa Ana CA, she grew up like many 1st generation immigrants in this country.
Her educational background includes an MBA from Chapman and a BS from CSU Fullerton. She has also earned a certificate from the USC Latina Global Executive Leadership Program.
Throughout her career, Cervantes has held several leadership roles, including the most recent as an Executive Director UCI-OC Alliance, a trustee-guided, university-driven community organization supporting UC Irvine as a Latino/a Thriving University. Prior to UC Irvine, Maria was a key executive leaders at Latino Health Access, where she championed partnerships that brought tangible health equity services, and civic participation. Her journey also includes an 18-year tenure at the MIND Research Institute, an ed-tech non-profit where she raised millions in funds, and established collaborative partnerships for accessible STEM-focused programs to underserved students.
Her leadership extends to serving on boards such as Altamed Board, one of the largest Federally Qualified Health Centers in Southern California and the OC Hispanic Youth Chamber of Commerce, underlining her dedication to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within her community and beyond.
Cervantes has been recognized for her leadership and contributions to the community, receiving awards such as Volunteer of the Year and Ambassador of the Year from the OC Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Community Icon by JP Morgan Chase, O.C. Metro’s Top 10 Women to Watch, and the Cosmopolitan for Latina’s Fun Fearless Latina among others.
A lifelong learner and unapologetically proud Latina, Maria continuously seeks to grow and engage with groups that propel Latinx individuals into leadership roles. She is an alumna of the Latina Golfers Association and the HOPE Leadership Institute.
Cervantes’ biliterate and bicultural competencies, combined with her strategic planning and problem-solving skills, make her a valuable asset to any organization aiming to enhance community engagement and drive impactful initiatives.
