IMG_2886
Photo by: Guadalupe Natareno / MAIA

Leadership Transition at MAIA

Empowering Indigenous women to thrive

At MAIA our mission asks us to contemplate: With the right support and example, how far can she go? We often say, “If she can see it, she can be it,” and we ensure that the Girl Pioneers have multiple examples of Indigenous women women who come from the same context as they doleading the way.

As an organization, we nurture and cultivate female talent with intentionality so that our transformative impact ripples beyond the Impact School, creating waves in the broader community, the country, and the world, and setting the stage for systemic change.
20230128035115_IMG_2256
Photo by: Guadalupe Natareno / MAIA

Lidia Oxí, creating a rippling effect beyond MAIA

It is with that ethos in mind that we want to share that after seven years at MAIA, Martha Lidia Oxí Chuy, who is currently Co-Executive Director – External Relations, will be leaving to run the first Guatemala-based arm of the organization, World Connect. Lidia has earned this opportunity through her hard work, ambition, and fearless pursuit of change. As a director at World Connect, she will be in charge of allocating funds to grassroots organizations across the Guatemalan Highlands, quite literally creating a rippling impact in Indigenous communities. 

We are extremely proud of Lidia for taking on this challenge and continuing to model for the Girl Pioneers the breadth of what is achievable for their futures. While we celebrate Lidia and her bold new trajectory, we are also sad to say goodbye. Luckily, we are thrilled to announce that she has accepted the unanimous vote of the MAIA Board of Directors to join the Board as a director emeritus. Her experience, knowledge, and personal connections will continue to benefit us even as she shifts her professional responsibilities.

Andrea Coché leading us
in the next phase

With Lidia’s departure from her current position, Andrea Coché, current Co-Executive Director – Direct Services –  will become MAIA’s Chief Executive Officer, streamlining the current co-leader structure. 

Andrea has been part of MAIA since 2012, and our organization is strong and thriving under her leadership. She has modeled “pioneering” in a multitude of ways during her tenure and welcomes this new opportunity to manage all aspects of the organization. Andrea is ideally suited to this role, our Board of Directors, allies and everyone at MAIA, have complete confidence in her ability to lead us in this next phase of organizational evolution.

20230128035803_IMG_2284
Photo by: Guadalupe Natareno / MAIA

This transition for both Lidia and Andrea demonstrates—again and unequivocally—what it is to be a female Indigenous leader and just how far they can go.

Three vertical portraits of MAIA Girl Pioneers, each confidently smiling. They represent the strength, leadership,

Girls’ vision for the future

Today, October 11th, we join the global celebration of the International Day of the Girl, honoring the potential and vision of girls everywhere.

As we celebrate this day, we are proud

Read More »

Every year at the MAIA Impact School, we welcome a new generation of Girl Pioneers. It is a transformative journey that changes the trajectory of the future of their lives, families, and the broader community.  

With your investment, these remarkable young women will break cycles of poverty and build a brighter future.