Maria is a placemaking and grants strategist with over 25 years cross-sector experience in heritage, human rights, improving urban places and green spaces.

She is passionate about genuine community-inclusive and crosssector development and co-designed public/private space consultation. She started her career in human rights and social and environmental justice, working in nongovernmental organisations. She is the CEO of the Foundation for Future London and Founding Director of Living Space Project.

Maria sits on several governance boards of organisations and advisory groups that hold a strong place-led, sustainable development, culture, and heritage focus including National Lottery Heritage Fund, Environment Agency, Mayor of London’s Sustainable Development Commission and City of London Culture and Commerce Taskforce. She has a degree in Organisation Studies and Business Law, a Masters in Public International Law and a Postgraduate Certificate in Architecture, Sustainability and Design, and received the Place and Environment Clore Social Fellowship. Maria is an Inaugural Fellow at the Centre for Knowledge Equity, Skoll Centre, University of Oxford. Her book The Place Making Factor explores the role of phi