From 2015 to 2021, Maria was Engagement and Programme Manager at FEPS. She was responsible for designing and leading the foundation’s engagement programme with key European partners, as well as coordinating its flagship annual high-level conference Call to Europe and the youth lighthouse initiative Millennials and Gen Z Dialogue on Europe. Maria divided her work between managing FEPS’s relationship with strategic partners and sister organisations and representing FEPS externally with a view to reinforcing the foundations representation and views. Prior to joining FEPS, Maria engaged in a diverse range of EU affairs work experiences, having worked for two S&D members of the European Parliament, the Financial Times (Mergemarket Group) and Vodafone. Since 2021, she is a Political Advisor at PES Group in the European Committee of the Regions.

Maria holds a Law Degree by the University of Lisbon, a post-graduation in European Legal Practice by Leibniz Universität Hannover, a Master of Arts in European Political and Governance Studies at the College of Europe and a Executive Master in Management at Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management.