Bio:

For more than 15 years, Maria Walker has worked in a variety of capacities to improve the lives of Philadelphians. Currently Project Manager for Drexel University’s Office of University and Community Partnerships, her portfolio of grant oversight totals more than $5 million and includes grants from the Lenfest Foundation, the William Penn Foundation and other government and private sources.  Ms. Walker coordinates several programs to improve educational outcomes for youth in Mantua, including the Action for Early Learning.

Previously, Ms. Walker was executive director of After School Activities Partnerships, an organization serving 6,000 youth annually with the mission to keep Philadelphia youth in grades K–12 safe and active after school. She has worked as a newspaper journalist and editor, and as a special assistant to a United States congressman with the focus on base closure reuse and environmental issues. Her experience also includes advocacy and training to support women on welfare. Ms. Walker has a B.A. in English and a minor in Classics from Temple University. She is a Philadelphia resident and active member of several local community organizations.