Maribel  joined the team in September 2021 as the Juvenile Justice Programs Manager, where she served as a key connector between the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission (IJJC).

In her current role, Maribel oversees statewide efforts to strengthen juvenile justice programming with our Redeploy (RDI) and IJJC Contracts. She supports the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission and its efforts to reduce racial & ethnic disparities statewide and maintain accordance with federal standards set forth by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. As well as supporting evidence-based community programs that maintain public safety and promote positive outcomes for redeploy youth. To promote best practices and policy change at the local level, she collaborates closely with partners to provide capacity building, assess training needs, and deliver targeted support for youth-serving organizations, redeploy sites, and juvenile justice councils throughout Illinois.

Maribel also partners with Adler University to oversee Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission Youth Advisory Board (YAB), helping to elevate youth voices and advance restorative practices within communities. Her passion is fighting oppression with a racial, social, and economic lens.

Maribel holds a dual bachelor’s degree in Criminal, Law, and Justice and Political Science from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Outside of work, Maribel enjoys trying new food, traveling, watching crime documentaries, and spending time with friends, family, and her beloved pets.