A graduate of Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida, Maria majored in psychology and religion with an emphasis in youth ministry. From 1986 to 1993, she was the youth director at St. Johns Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville, Florida. She then attended Princeton Theological Seminary, where she earned her Masters of Divinity degree and was awarded the 1996 Robert Boyd Munger prize in Youth Ministry. Having done her field education placement in an urban church, she is committed to creating opportunities for mission and outreach, and says she's seen "even the hardest of hearts transformed by being given the opportunity to serve others." She passionately believes that the church and its ministries are relevant in the lives of youth and that Christ's message is on that can speak to the decisive moments of youth's lives.

One of Maria's greatest gifts in youth ministry is her ability to immerse herself in youth culture. Her ministry meets youth and their families "where they are," and seeks to communicate Christ in the midst of their lives. "There is a search to belong in humanity," she says, "and I would like to see the Church offer a holding environment where life's transitions can be led and transformed."

After graduating from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1996 she joined the pastoral staff at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church. She served the congregation and local community as a youth pastor and spoke at local schools regarding youth culture and it’s affects on relationships to self, families and others. During her time at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church Maria began working on her Doctorate in Ministry at Columbia Seminary with a focus on youth and culture. She in 1999 was the recipient of Union Seminary's National Presbyterian Church Youth Ministry Award. After almost seven years at BMPC Maria resigned to start a family and joined The Shipley School as their upper school student advocate, service learning coordinator and teacher for a transitions and awareness course for ninth grade. She has been at Shipley School for almost seven years and has a three year old daughter and a five year old son (Madison and Joshua). Maria greatest joy is her family and the years of learning that lay ahead for her!