Maria’s Story

As both a native San Franciscan and first generation Italian in this Country, I have always been involved with immigrant communities, helping them to integrate into their new environment. As a teenager, I volunteered with La Raza Tutorial Center assisting the children of recent immigrants in improving their English language competency. Soon after I worked at the Mission Language & Vocational School teaching business skills to recent immigrants. The goal of that program was to improve their ability to compete for jobs in order to become self-sufficient and competitive in the job market.

I grew up in a strong Italian community learning to speak Italian at an early age. As a result, becoming a part of the Latino community and learning to speak Spanish felt familiar and was a natural transition for me. 

I soon became involved in workers' compensation law and an advocate for injured workers, spending time explaining the system and benefits, and providing these services to injured workers in English, Spanish and Italian.  

While employed full time in this field, I completed my bachelor degree at New College in San Francisco and completed two years at New College Law School with courses in mediation and an emphasis on public advocacy. The school closed and I eventually completed my studies and am eligible to take the California Bar Exam. 

I continue to further my education and completed a course in mediation at the Strauss Institute of Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine Law School, in addition to a Women's Negotiation training course.  I am also a member of the International Ombudsman Association. 

 My many years in workers' compensation, strong advocacy background, and continuing education have provided me with the tools necessary to successfully fulfill the ombudsperson/member advocate role.