
Formerly contributing to the excellence of Chicago Public Schools district leadership, Maria's expertise lies in developing and implementing comprehensive professional learning plans that build the capacity of network leadership and their teams. She effectively designed unique adult learning environments through experience data identifying professional development needs, evaluating and improving their effectiveness.Through a deep understanding of research-based, innovative adult learning techniques, Maria ensured that development initiatives were not only impactful, but directly contributed to enhancing the wellness of leaders within Chicago.
Prior to this role, Maria held leadership positions at Noble Schools on the Southside of Chicago, including Grade Level Dean and Humanities Department Chair. As Dean, Maria demonstrated strong instructional leadership by compiling campus data and utilizing trends to enhance student experiences in learning environments that foster community and belonging. Her commitment to fostering academic excellence and professional growth within educational institutions called her to focus her attention on the wellness and resilience of leaders. In the curriculum development space, Maria led the creation of standard-aligned curriculum and assessment resources for an 18-campus charter network and facilitated accompanying network professional development.
Maria holds a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Secondary Social Science and Adolescent Literacy from Concordia University-Portland, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University. An alumna of Surge’s CHI24 Fellowship cohort, she is excited to use her expertise to take Alumni Impact to the next level.

Aryiel approaches IT project management through a human-centered design lens, creating space for people to understand technology in ways that are accessible and meaningful to them. Her 15 years of expertise in photography, social media content creation, and business collateral design have sharpened her ability to translate complex digital systems into user-friendly experiences. Her theatre foundation has also fueled a dynamic career in communications, encompassing community engagement, diversity and inclusion efforts, and business development.
Born overseas and raised in a military family, Aryiel has lived throughout the United States, including a brief 7 years in Florida, where her family lives. Aryiel loves her family, and when she is not working, you'll find her, outdoors, reading books, or cheering on her active preteen as she navigates whatever new adventure her daughter has discovered that week, keeping up with two dogs, a wise 15-year-old heeler who's seen it all, and an energetic 10-month-old great dane who's still figuring it out. She's currently based in Kansas City, Missouri, and while she's excited to be back in MO, she always looks forward to the next city and adventure.