Maria holds a Master of Management with a Specialisation in Non-Profit Management from the Singapore University of Social Science (SUSS) where she was awarded the Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple Award, presented to the top 3 graduating students. She also has a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Psychology from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines where she graduated Cum Laude. 

Maria served as the Head of HCSA Dayspring for five years, overseeing the only Therapeutic Group Home for female trauma survivors with high levels of needs in Singapore and working closely with the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF). In 2024, Maria spearheaded the expansion of HCSA Dayspring to run the Small Group Care, a residential service that provides trauma-informed care for teenage girls with moderate to high levels of needs.  

Maria is a certified Master Trainer of Trauma Systems Therapy (TST) for MSF-sponsored Therapeutic Group Homes and foster care programmes, and she has maintained her TST Expert certifications since 2020. She is also certified in Choice Theory Reality Therapy (CTRT) and has completed the TPC Leadership Professional Coaching Programme. 

Before joining HCSA Dayspring, Maria worked as a psychologist in the Philippines for 3 years, providing psychotherapeutic interventions to female and male ex-offenders and drug dependents.  

Maria was a recipient of various leadership programmes by National Council of Social Service (NCSS) which includes The Professional Development and Management Programme in 2020 and the Leadership Milestone Programme – Lead Manager in 2021. She was also included in the NCSS 40-Under-40 in 2024.  

Maria currently serves as the Impact and Innovation Director at HCSA Community Services.