Maria is a seasoned development expert with extensive experience in investment and commercial banking, philanthropy, and NGO management. She excels in solving problems, consulting for small businesses, and training in sustainability and SDG Impact Standards. Maria is skilled in developing capacity-building programmes for women and youth, as well as in preparing Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) for investments. Her expertize includes administration, public speaking, strategy development, programme management, budgeting, fundraising, NGO management, research, and impact measurement and management. She volunteers her spare time to support the development of young girls and women through organized groups such as her alumni association and the Kilali Tribe, a group of professional women from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

At THE NEW INSTITUTE, Maria is involved in the Africapitalism: Shared Entrepreneurship for Economic Development program in the Academic Year 2024/25.