“As part of my duty to serve, I leverage my voice and position to amplify the experiences of those traditionally unheard or unseen, dismantling well-known barriers to access and health disparities faced by Hispanic children and families."

Since assuming the role of Executive Director at Raíces Sagradas in March, María Steffel, a graduate of the Faculty of Business Administration at the Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, has been unwavering in her commitment to addressing our clients' unique mental health needs while dynamically adapting to evolving requirements and fostering community-based services. As a first-generation college graduate with a background in finance, hailing from Coahuila, Mexico, she brings a firsthand understanding of mental health challenges in Hispanic contexts, backed by over 20 years of leadership across diverse sectors, from for-profit businesses to nonprofit human service organizations.

As Executive Director, she leads the design of our organization’s new structure, strategic plan, and program development. She focuses on empowering underserved communities and creating cross-cultural work environments through collaboration. By forging community alliances, she aims to drive measurable change for the Spanish-speaking community in the Twin Cities. Her initiatives include culturally sensitive and bilingual outreach, research, grantmaking, resource allocation, destigmatization efforts, and promoting the importance of seeking help. Collaborating with fellow community leaders, she strives to bring innovative ideas to fruition, fostering a stronger, more supportive community and making a positive, lasting impact on the lives of individuals and families.

She has been selected among thousands of notable men and women to be part of the 2023 honored listee from Marquis Who's Who, Who's Who of Professional Women, and Who's Who of American Women.

Outside work, she finds joy in potluck gatherings, gardening, bowling, and indulging in cooking shows. As a Star Trek fan, she appreciates its equity, inclusion, and community-building values.