"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world."
– Anne Frank
Maria Chavez-Wilcox is the Chief Executive Officer of YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish and the first Latina to lead the organization in its 130-year history.
She has over thirty years of experience as a nonprofit executive, social services advocate, community leader, and philanthropist. Previously, she served as President and CEO of Child Haven. She has over 25 years of experience as President and CEO of United Ways all across the country.
Maria currently serves on the boards of the YWCA USA and the Downtown Seattle Association and is the Co-Chair of the Human Rights Advisory Committee for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. She is also a member of the International Women’s Forum, NAFE, and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. In 2026, Maria was named one of the Top 15 Most Admired Chief Executives in the Pacific Northwest by the Puget Sound Business Journal. She has also been recognized as one of Puget Sound Business Journal's Top 25 and Top 100 Most Influential Leaders in the community.
Maria graduated from Boston University with a Master's degree in Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Education and holds an additional certificate from the Nonprofit Management Institute at Harvard University
