Maria is University Professor of Creativity and Social Impact at Arizona State University, with appointments in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts and the Watts College of Public Purpose and Community Solutions. Appointed by President Biden and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, she served as chair of the National Endowment for the Arts from 2021 to 2025 and was previously appointed to the National Council on the Arts by President Obama. Across a 30-year career in policy, philanthropy, research and evaluation, and comprehensive community development, her work has focused on the role of arts, culture, and creativity in building healthy communities, strengthening democracy, supporting artists, and advancing equity and resilience.