Start Date: May 2021

As Senior Associate Director of Analysis and Evaluation, Maria Garcia transforms raw data into strategic, actionable insights that drive organizational learning and programmatic impact. She is the primary architect of Book Harvest’s evaluation framework, designing studies and conducting complex statistical analysis to determine why programs work and how they can be optimized. Maria leverages more than 17 years of experience—including a decade-long career as a mechanical engineer—to lead the organization's capacity for evidence-based decision-making and continuous learning.

Maria’s journey with Book Harvest is deeply personal; she is a former Book Babies parent and a native Spanish speaker who brings an essential cultural perspective to her analytical work. Before stepping into her strategic leadership role, she served as a Senior Data Manager and coordinated the Book Babies program in Durham, providing a vital link between our programs and the community. She also served as an official Book Babies Parent Partner in 2018 and collaborated with the Book Babies RCT Project in 2019 and 2020.

Maria's favorite thing to do is spend time with her family, especially watching movies all together with a good bowl of popcorn. Her favorite children's book is Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann.