Meet Maria Membrila, our new Assistant Director

Hi Sonoma Valley!

My name is Maria Membrila—I’m a first-generation young Latina and recent graduate from the University of San Francisco with a Master’s in Urban & Public Affairs.

Since I can remember I've always been passionate about making a difference in the community, especially for those who are underserved. Being the daughter of immigrants, I grew up with strong values around hard work, family, and giving back, and I’m proud to bring those values into my career. 

Through my recent work conducting a Farmworker Housing Needs Assessment in Napa County, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges our farmworkers face, and I’m committed to finding real, equitable solutions for housing.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I did outreach to coordinate and distribute resources to primarily Latino/e communities as a Community Health Worker, working with employers to reach workers who were faced with immense health inequities that were highlighted by the pandemic. Throughout that period what I learned is the essential and necessary need for not only providing resources to these communities but equity be the foundation for its distribution of such resources. 

Outside of work, I’m also a hands-on creator—I love woodworking, welding, and cross-elemental projects. As an individual facing the grunt of the housing crisis I have resorted to building my own tiny home, which lets me put my passion for craftsmanship into action while exploring sustainable living and expanding on accessible and equitable solutions to housing. I’m excited to be part of this community and to help make Sonoma Valley a place where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

I'm excited to join the small but impactful Sonoma Valley Collaborative team, Caitlin Cornwall, Project Director, and Kim Jones, Coordinator, along with our incredible coalition of 30+ community leaders to address Sonoma Valley's housing affordability crisis and see how the fostering of collaboration and community engagement can bring equity to the Sonoma Valley, especially for farm workers. 

Say hello! I can be reached at maria.m@sonomavalleycollaborative.org.