Maya first joined Spirit of America in September 2019 as a remote intern on the Middle East Field Operations team while completing her Fulbright research scholarship in Oman. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, she began working on the Middle East portfolio at Mercy Corps before eagerly returning to Spirit of America full-time in January 2022. Maya brings experience from the Department of State, global health and engagement NGOs, and firms focusing on Middle Eastern research and international trade regulation and logistics. Maya continues her pursuit of studying Arabic and French, in addition to her native language of Japanese.

When not working, Maya is an avid outdoor enthusiast, working to make outdoor access more equitable by expanding the Ambassador program at The Cairn Project, mentoring women of color at Trail Mixed Collective, and adventuring outside in the beautiful Pacific northwest, which she calls home. She is serving her second year as a board member of the Seattle’s World Affairs Council’s Young Professionals International Network, and volunteers with the International Rescue Committee as an English tutor.

Maya holds bachelor’s degrees in Economics and International Studies from the University of Washington.