About Maria Gonzales

Maria Gonzales is the Chief Development Officer at the Conservation Lands Foundation, where she leads the organization’s philanthropic strategy to protect, restore, and expand America’s public lands. Her approach to fundraising is rooted in her desire to steward people, place, and possibility toward meaningful impact.

A lifelong nature lover who grew up exploring the high desert of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Maria brings more than 15 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and strategic partnerships. Before joining CLF, she served as Vice President of Development at Protect Our Winters (POW), where she led the organization’s $7 million+ revenue strategy, built a robust major-gifts and partnership program, and helped expand POW’s impact across climate advocacy, storytelling, and community mobilization.

Earlier in her career, Maria served as the Chief Advancement Officer at the American Alpine Club, helping grow national support for climbing and conservation. She also worked at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), one of the nation’s leading global policy think tanks, where she partnered with Fortune 100 corporations and global philanthropists on international policy initiatives, and at Catholic Charities USA, where she led advancement and social-enterprise initiatives.

Maria also serves on the board of WorldDenver and co-chaired the organization’s International Women’s Day Celebration, one of the largest events of its kind in the country.

She holds an M.A. in Political Science, dual B.A.s in Political Science and Journalism from Arizona State University, and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Georgetown University. She lives in Colorado with her husband and two rescue dogs, Apollo and Olivia, and spends as much time as possible outdoors, gardening, rafting, and exploring the public lands she now helps to protect.

Maria Gonzales

Chief Development Officer