AVANZA - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Program Founder, Strategic Advisor

Grisel Maldonado is an accomplished program founder, strategic advisor, postsecondary success specialist and community leader. She has founded a variety of research-based impact programs across the nation, and has led the development of multiple culturally relevant programs and initiatives that support the advancement of low-income, Black and Latinx youth and their communities. Grisel received a B.A. in History and Hispanic Studies from Brown University and an M.B.A. from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. She is a proud alumnus of the Surge Institute Fellowship, member of Education Leaders of Color and Señoritas Latinas Unidas, served on the board of Instituto del Progreso Latino, and is Co-President of the Brown University Club of Chicago. She was recognized on the Negocios Now list of Latinos 40 Under 40 Class of 2019 for her leadership in the Chicago area, and is part of the CatalystEd Postsecondary Expert Network with the Gates Foundation. In her spare time, Grisel loves any opportunity to travel outside of the United States and catch a glimpse of the beautiful world we inhabit from a new perspective.