Maria Garciaz - Executive Director

Maria Garciaz is a native of Utah, born and raised in Salt Lake City. She is the Executive Director of Salt Lake Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) now doing business as NeighborWorks® Salt Lake. NeighborWorks is a private nonprofit housing organization created in 1977 to reverse the decline of neighborhoods experiencing blight.

Maria was introduced to NeighborWorks® Salt Lake in 1982 during her employment as a probation officer for third district juvenile court. She was recruited as a volunteer and later joined the organization as the Youth Project director in 1986, she was appointed Executive Director in 1990. Neighborworks Salt Lake is recognized nationally for its community building activities and ability to rebuild communities. She has been involved in grassroots organizing for 30 years and working with youth since 1976. She graduated from the University of Utah with a B.A in Political Science and a Master of Education from Utah State University. She received a certificate in Community Development from the Development Training Institute of Baltimore, Maryland in 1992. Maria was selected for a Harvard Achieving Excellence scholarship in advanced community development and will begin the 18-month program in October 2008.

She is responsible for raising $4.1 million dollars for NeighborWorks program services for statewide counseling programs and revitalization strategies in Salt Lake’s west side. She serves on several boards including the board of directors of American Express Centurion Bank, Utah State Historical Society, County Fine Arts, Utah Board of Juvenile Justice and the Utah Legal Defenders Association. She serves on advisory committees for Washington Mutual and US Bank, is a former board member of the San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank’s Salt Lake Branch, and the Salt Lake Olympic Organizing Committee.

She enjoys serving as a volunteer director on several Salt Lake nonprofits to help raise funds, build capacity, and explore opportunities to involve youth in community efforts. Maria and her better half of 24 years, Dave Galvan spend free time with their 13-year old son Joaquin and 11-year old daughter, Solana traveling and learning how to relax.

Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it