Maria Diaz serves as the Senior Director of Data and Grants Management. Maria earned her MPH from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2019 and a B.A. from Berea College in 2014. She began her career as a Teach for America Corps Member teaching 7th grade science in Charlotte, NC. Through her role as a Health Equity Fellow for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health and Program Manager for the Academy for Research on Community Health, Engagement and Services at UNCC she has played a lead role in program development, implementation, and evaluation.

As a Mexican immigrant and first-generation student, Maria’s passion and moral responsibility has been educational and health equity. She is motivated by the belief that every student, regardless of background, deserves equal access to reach their fullest potential. During her free time, she enjoys reading, exercising, and spending time with her Spanish-speaking GS, Sonia (after Sonia Sotomayor).