Maria Zalesky serves as the Area Director for the Inland Valleys region of Southern California. She has over 15 years of experience in fundraising in both the higher education and nonprofit sectors. Maria began her fundraising career at UC Davis holding positions in the Athletics Development and Parent Relations. After moving to Southern California, Maria served as a Regional Director of Development and the Director of Ruby Women (a women’s philanthropy group) at Biola University before following her calling to nonprofit work at Make-A-Wish. Upon completing her degree at the University of Iowa majoring in Communications, Spanish,and Education, Maria and her husband Lennie taught high school in Alaska from 1990-98. She is excited that God has now called her to serve at Mission Increase combining her fundraising, teaching, and coaching backgrounds. Maria and Lennie live in Corona and their two grown children live in Montana and San Diego.