Arden Shore Welcomes Maria Velasquez as Incoming CEO.
Arden Shore Child & Family Services is poised for a new chapter of leadership and impact with the appointment of Maria Velasquez as its next Chief Executive Officer, effective May 2025. Velasquez, a nationally recognized leader in child welfare and social impact, will build upon the transformative legacy of Dr. Dora Maya, who has led Arden Shore for the past 25 years.
With a distinguished career in social justice and family preservation, Velasquez shares Arden Shore’s commitment to strengthening communities, fostering belonging, and creating lasting opportunities for children and families. A mission-driven leader, she founded Casa Innovation in Colombia to support social entrepreneurs working to create positive change. Casa Innovation has since merged with the Festival of the Diaspora, a product of the Aspen Institute Project on Belonging, which brings together leaders across the Americas to foster connection, drive innovation, and amplify local solutions. Through this leadership experience—strengthening community resilience and expanding opportunities for stability and success—Velasquez demonstrates her strong alignment with Arden Shore’s mission and her readiness to lead the organization forward.
Reflecting on her new role, Velasquez stated:
“I share Arden Shore’s commitment to equity, cultural inclusion, and family preservation. As an immigrant from Medellín, Colombia, who navigated life in the United States from an early age, I intimately understand the challenges families can face in building a secure and supportive future. My journey has been shaped by a lifelong dedication to serving communities facing systemic barriers across Latin America and the United States. I am honored to carry forward Arden Shore’s legacy—expanding access to essential services, strengthening community partnerships, and ensuring that every child and family has the opportunity to thrive.”
Scott Yelvington, Board Chair of Arden Shore, emphasized the significance of Velasquez’s leadership: “Maria’s unique perspective, forged through her personal journey and professional achievements, makes her exceptionally well-suited to lead Arden Shore, strengthen our work, and extend our impact.”
Velasquez’s extensive background includes consulting with child welfare agencies, healthcare systems, and nonprofits to create sustainable systems and address systemic inequities. She has partnered with Casey Family Programs and other leading organizations to advance child welfare initiatives and bring critical issues to national and international audiences.
The Arden Shore Board of Directors is confident that Velasquez will build on Dr. Maya’s strong foundation of innovation and service, guiding the organization forward and keeping its programs responsive to the community’s most pressing needs. As Arden Shore embarks on this next phase, the organization remains steadfast in supporting children and families, ensuring brighter futures for generations to come.