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Maria Espinal-Mena (Community Engagement Coordinator) is a bilingual community advocate and operations professional whose work is rooted in lived experience, care, and collective responsibility. After immigrating from the Dominican Republic at age 12, Maria learned early the importance of strong support systems, clear communication, and organizations that truly show up for their communities—values that continue to guide her work today.
Maria’s background spans program coordination, communications, and behind-the-scenes operations that help mission-driven organizations function with intention and accountability. Most recently, she served as Programs & Communications Manager at Raise the Bar, where she supported multi-site programming, strengthened internal systems, and helped teams stay connected and aligned in fast-paced, people-centered environments. Across her roles, Maria is known for creating structure that allows community work to thrive.
She also serves as Treasurer for Movimiento Tricolor, Inc., supporting financial transparency and sustainability for grant-funded programs serving Latinx communities. Maria holds an Associate’s degree in Business Administration from Camden County College and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Rutgers University–Camden. She is fluent in English and Spanish and is deeply committed to building spaces where communities feel seen, supported, and empowered.