Maria Villalobos

As District Director for Council Member Pierina Sanchez in District 14, I lead a dedicated team in delivering exceptional constituent services, building community engagement, and organizing town halls and initiatives that reflect our shared values. I work closely with community stakeholders to support advocacy efforts and ensure our office is deeply present in addressing local concerns. My role involves managing district operations, cultivating relationships with community members, and leading a dynamic team to create meaningful change in the Bronx.

As a Community Manager for Council District 14, I lead both immediate solutions and long-term strategies that strengthen and empower our neighborhoods. I organize and facilitate community gatherings that foster unity, collaboration, and civic engagement, while staying deeply connected through active participation in tenant associations, precinct councils, and community board meetings. I also oversee key educational initiatives and spearhead major projects, including Participatory Budgeting, JARC, BJT, and the Kingsbridge Armory redevelopment.

As Operations and Outreach Coordinator, I lead initiatives that drive community engagement and strengthen connections between constituents, schools, and government. I successfully coordinate the office’s Participatory Budgeting process, directing $1M toward local capital improvements, and manage communication with school principals and parent coordinators to ensure timely dissemination of critical information. I co-organize press conferences, engage with media, and craft compelling talking points for my member. My role includes advising on school coordination, executing logistical plans for community events, and fostering collaboration between officials, organizations, and residents. I build strong relationships with stakeholders, promote transparency, and design workshops on civic engagement. I also partner with the Department of Education to implement programs benefiting students and families, manage the office’s social media presence, and provide timely responses to community feedback. These accomplishments reflect my ability to drive impact, build partnerships, and effectively communicate for positive educational and civic outcomes.

NYC CORE centers community voices in shaping a more equitable city. I recently hosted a community conversation with M.S 390 parents, gathering their insights through surveys and engagement forms to ensure their experiences and priorities help guide citywide racial equity planning and civic engagement initiatives.

Served as Poll Site Captain and Certified Poll Watcher for Council Member Pierina Sanchez’s 2025 re-election campaign. Oversaw visibility materials, coordinated on-site volunteers, and engaged voters throughout early voting and on Primary Day (June 24, 2025). Monitored election integrity by collecting vote counts and reporting any irregularities across multiple Bronx polling sites (AD 77, 78, 81, 86).

As a People's Money Partner with NYC's Participatory Budgeting process, I serve as a Direct Democracy Champion-organizing, educating, and activating community members to directly decide how public funds are spent in their neighborhoods.

As a People’s Money Partner with NYC’s Participatory Budgeting process, I serve as a Direct Democracy Champion—organizing, educating, and activating community members to directly decide how public funds are spent in their neighborhoods.

As a member of the Citywide Wellness Advisory Council, my role is to provide guidance and support in advocating for and implementing various wellness policies, programs, and practices within the New York City Department of Education (DOE). I focus on promoting physical education, health education, food, nutrition, sustainability, and other interconnected wellness initiatives. I offer advice to the DOE's Office of School Wellness Programs on improving the quality of health and physical education in schools and fostering school communities that prioritize well-being. Alongside parents, students, teachers, and other staff members involved in school health, mental health, dining, and sustainability, I contribute to building a healthier and more supportive educational environment across all levels, from elementary to secondary schools. Together with the Citywide Wellness Advisory Council, I collaborate with different DOE offices to ensure compliance with federal regulations and complete the Triennial Review of the DOE Wellness Policy.

As President of CEC 10, I oversee and represent the Community Education Council for District 10, ensuring that our educational programs positively impact student achievement. I organize monthly public meetings to engage the community in discussions about the state of our schools and serve as a key liaison to School Leadership Teams, fostering collaboration and effective communication. I submit an annual evaluation of the superintendent to the Chancellor, provide strategic input to the Chancellor and the Panel for Educational Policy, and approve zoning proposals while conducting public hearings to address district capital needs. I also host Town Hall meetings with the Chancellor to address pressing community concerns. In my role, I ensure compliance with the Open Meetings Law and Freedom of Information Law, manage documentation and reporting requirements, and advocate for constituents’ needs in alignment with NY State Education Law 2590. Through these responsibilities, I drive transparency, community engagement, and continuous improvement in our district’s educational landscape.

As a Presidents’ Council President, I lead the organization of monthly meetings that strengthen parent networks and foster meaningful collaboration. I advocate for families by actively engaging in district meetings, ensuring that parents’ voices and concerns about their children’s education are heard and addressed. I oversee and facilitate PA/PTA elections with precision, provide expert guidance to council members, and conduct training sessions to equip both new and experienced parent leaders with a thorough understanding of Chancellor’s Regulations A660 and A655.

As a Parent Association President, I lead initiatives that strengthen parent involvement and develop leadership and advocacy skills within our school community. I organize and facilitate regular trainings, meetings, and events, including PA/PTA elections, ensuring smooth operations and positive outcomes. I also coordinate community engagement activities such as book fairs, networking events, and fundraisers, fostering collaboration among parents, students, and school staff as shared stakeholders in the educational experience.

As a member of the Fair Student Funding Working Group, I actively participated in analyzing and evaluating the current Fair Student Funding Formula (FSF) for potential changes. Our group, established in response to the approval of the FY23 FSF, held regular meetings from July to October 2022, where we examined the existing formula through presentations by NYC Public Schools personnel and national experts. With the NYC Public Schools team, we developed impact models to assess proposed changes and conducted a ranked voting process to determine the top five recommendations. However, recognizing the need for further analysis and community engagement, we emphasized the challenges posed by declining enrollment, budget cuts, and the pending expiration of federal COVID-19 stimulus funding. Our aim was to ensure that any future recommendations considered the well-being of all schools and were based on comprehensive analysis and community involvement.

As a CEC 10 member, my role entails reviewing and evaluating the district's educational programs as part of an educational policy advisory body. I have the responsibility of approving zoning lines that comply with district standards and reflect the needs of our community. In addition, I attend School Leadership Team (SLT) meetings for district schools, where I actively engage with parents, address their inquiries, and promptly resolve any issues that arise. I also take charge of coordinating meetings that cater to the specific needs of parents and schools, ensuring purposeful and timely collaboration.