Maria Carnes

Maria is a mission-driven, seasoned, and strategic, leader driven to advance LCF’s mission and core values.

As the Vice President of Finance and Operations, Maria oversees all finance and operations activities for the Foundation. She is responsible for implementing policies and procedures that promote strong and transparent stewardship of the Foundation’s resources. Maria’s priorities are to ensure LCF’s operations are efficient, and that its legal and financial compliance requirements are met. She is also leading efforts to strengthen LCF’s culture as a positive, inspiring work environment where their team can grow, learn, and have fun as they advance the Foundation’s mission.

Maria has over 20 years of experience in finance, accounting, and investment. Prior to joining LCF, Maria spent ten years as the Controller at the W. M. Keck Foundation as a trusted voice on a team of highly qualified professionals working to fund pioneering research as well as high-impact community service projects. She monitored the foundation’s $1.5 billion diversified investment portfolio. She also collaboratively managed accounting, finance, human resource, and operations projects with special attention to detail while innovating processes and contributing to a stronger organization.

Prior to her work with W.M. Keck Foundation, she served as founding Partner of a financial service firm. She served as a trusted financial adviser to a diverse group of clients. During her tenure, she mentored and trained new accountants and led effective diversity initiatives. One of her proudest accomplishments has been as the founder of this boutique tax and personal financial planning firm allowing her entrepreneurial spirit to shine.

Maria is a Certified Public Accountant in California and New Mexico and a Certified Financial Planner. She holds a dual MBA/Master of Latin American Studies and a BBA with an emphasis in Accounting from the University of New Mexico.

Maria knows what belonging to the community means on an intuitive level. With Puerto Rican roots and growing up in a military family, she understands the joy and challenges of belonging to two different cultures. She is wholeheartedly committed to LCF’s core values and is a passionate advocate for financial literacy and high-quality, creative math education. Maria and her husband are raising two compassionate children and one high-energy Boston Terrier. She loves reading, traveling with her family, and old Volkswagens.