Maritza Guzmán

Collaboration and learning for equity

“Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.”—Arthur Robert Ashe, Jr.

Maritza’s personal experience with social justice issues inspires her to help create more opportunities for communities of color. As the daughter of immigrants and the first in her family to complete high school—and achieve college and advanced degrees—Maritza works to combat injustice and build a more equitable society where all individuals can contribute. She believes in meeting clients where they are, applying a collaborative approach to issues areas including health, racial and gender inclusion, and access to a quality education.

Over a 25-year career, Maritza has designed and directed a host of initiatives in philanthropy and collaborative grantmaking. With program management experience across large national foundations, corporate philanthropy, government agencies, and the nonprofit sector, her diverse knowledge base and ability to gather and synthesize information from a variety of sources helps TCC Group’s clients achieve their goals and desired impact.

At TCC Group:

• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF): Applying her expertise in collaborative program development, Maritza provides leadership as part of TCC’s work with RWJF in strengthening research to advance health equity. RWJF’s work involves aligning and mobilizing diverse public and private funders, equity-focused researchers, and community leaders in generating and exchanging knowledge that will deepen the research base for health equity and support the practical use of research across intersecting issues. Maritza’s contributions include facilitating a shared leadership body; designing, developing, and implementing learning events with RWJF and the leadership team; conducting stakeholder interviews and research; and the development of a guidance document that will support the initiative’s future work as part of RWJF’s institutional focus on advancing health equity in the United States and globally.

Before TCC Group:

• NEO Philanthropy: As a key member of NEO’s leadership team, Maritza directed the programmatic, financial, administrative, and operational activities for Fiscal Sponsorship services at this funder intermediary organization. She oversaw support and technical assistance services for 21 programs totaling $14.5 million in assets. Under Maritza’s guidance, NEO doubled its fee-based revenue by prioritizing customer service and efficiency while collaborating with foundations on a range of social justice issues.
• Fulfilling the Dream Fund: Leveraging her vast program management expertise, Maritza advised over 40 participating donors on the development of a shared grantmaking strategy to promote and protect equal opportunity rights for people of color and women across the country. In close collaboration with leadership from the Ford Foundation, Maritza oversaw $16 million in funding towards efforts to address systemic discrimination and expand access to opportunity. She also coordinated a series of donor learning events, including site visits, and disseminated commissioned reports for the Fund to evaluate results.

Education:

• Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs
  • MPA, Public Administration
• Yale University
  • BA, English Literature

Board Service:

• Ayuda Immigration Assistance Organization
• College Board, Prepárate National Advisory Committee
• The Washington AIDS Partnership, Steering Committee