Maritza Penagos

About Maritza Penagos

I am a mission-driven executive with a proven track record of leading complex non-profit and public sector initiatives that drive systemic change and measurable outcomes. With dual master’s degrees in Social Work (MSW) and Public Health (MSPH) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I bring a unique interdisciplinary lens to leadership, strategy, and community transformation.My core strengths include:Organizational Change & Strategic Execution: Guiding organizations through transitions with clarity, purpose, and measurable results.Leadership Development & Coaching: Empowering leaders at all levels to grow, adapt, and lead with equity and impact.Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI): Embedding DEI principles into organizational culture and community initiatives.Program Design, Implementation & Evaluation: Building and scaling programs that are data-informed and community-centered.Collective Impact & Community Change: Designing and leading cross-sector collaborations using the Results-Based Accountability (RBA) framework to achieve lasting, community-wide outcomes.I thrive at the intersection of vision and execution—translating big ideas into actionable strategies that uplift communities and build sustainable systems of support.

Experience

1. Chief Program Officer

   Hamilton Families

   Oct 2021 — Present

Education

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

  Master of Social Work (MSW), Masters of Science in Public Health (MSPH), Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management

  2001 — 2003

• University of California, Berkeley

  Bachelor's degree, Ethnic Studies

  1989 — 1994

• University of California, Berkeley

  Bachelor's degree, Ethnic Studies

• The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

  Master of Science in Public Health, Master of Social Work (MSPH, MSW), Public Administration

Skills

• Operations Management
• Bilingual
• Workforce Development
• Case Management
• Policy
• Program Implementation
• Public Health
• Non-Profit Administration
• Certified Professional Coach
• Nonprofit Management
• Fundraising
• Volunteer Management
• Training
• Program Development
• Community Health
• Health Policy
• Program Management
• Cultural Diversity
• Grants
• Leadership Development
• Community Outreach
• Grant Administration
• Human Resources
• Nonprofits
• Community Building
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Healthcare
• Grant Writing
• Executive Coaching
• Facilitation
• Healthcare Management
• Social Services
• Program Evaluation