Maria Gray (she/her)

What do you like about your job?

The mission is what drives me. I enjoy getting people excited about philanthropy and supporting the organization.

Where did you work before YJC?

United Way of Lake County

What was your first job?

Fannie May Candies.

What did you learn from your first job?

I learned honesty and customer service. I remember vividly how enraged customers became when Fannie Mae switched out chocolate covered orange peel for grapefruit peel and didn’t tell anyone. We had a store full of angry people that felt betrayed by a brand they loved and trusted. I also learned the value of a sincere apology.

Has your career path gone how you expected?

No, it hasn’t. I wanted to be a professional artist, but I needed a job, and ended up planning special events for a social service agency, and realized that I enjoyed fundraising. I ended up fundraising for several community-based arts organizations and youth organizations over the course of my career.

Fun Fact

I took each one of my kids on their own epic road trip after they each graduated from HS as their graduation present.