With over 15 years of experience in direct response fundraising, Maria has managed numerous large nonprofits and for-profit clients.  Before joining New River Communications, she was responsible for overseeing all facets of the Acquisition, Retention, Lapsed and Acknowledgement programs for the March of Dimes. Prior to that, Maria managed Save the Children’s individual giving program. She is recognized as a strategic, well-organized, and efficient professional. Maria is known for her exceptional verbal, written communication, and customer service skills and her ability to manage multiple complex projects with a cool head and “on-your-feet” thinking. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Iona College in New York.

How did you get into direct response fundraising?
After college, I worked for a small financial publisher who started her own direct mail agency because she wanted to oversee the marketing of her publications.  This was a great opportunity to learn all about direct response fundraising.

What’s the best part of your job?
When I am working on a mailing campaign from start to finish and see the impact of good, strategic decisions we’ve made to contribute to a campaign’s success. It’s rewarding to know that we’re helping bring in revenue that will be used to advance an important cause.

The worst part?
The worst part of my job is having to deliver bad news to clients about their mailing campaigns. I pride myself on being detail-oriented and having an extensive understanding in project management but this is a super-detailed business and sometimes things happen beyond your control. I work hard to anticipate and head off any mistakes and keep my eye on all the details, and that approach usually keeps us out of trouble!

Your favorite escape from the job?
My favorite escape is the beach, which led my husband and me to buy a second home in South Florida.  Someday we hope to move there permanently and enjoy it full time.