Maritza was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia, and moved to the Bay Area in middle school. She feels blessed to have a large extended family that supports each other “pa’ las q’ sea” (whatever is needed). As a product of the public school system in San Mateo County, she has seen firsthand that accessing a good education is a privilege but needs to be accessible to all kids. Before Coleman, Maritza was the After-school Program Director at New School of San Francisco. Her role extended beyond academics, and she was deeply committed to fostering a nurturing environment through restorative practices. It was a rewarding experience that further reinforced her dedication to creating equitable educational opportunities for our most marginalized students. In her free time, Maritza rereads Harry Potter with her partner and their eight-year-old son. They love to explore new and old food spots from the East Bay to the South Bay and everything in between.