As a Philanthropy Associate at Lever for Change, Maris assists in identifying, cultivating, and stewarding a portfolio of high-potential prospective donors.
Prior to joining Lever for Change, Maris worked in the arts and culture nonprofit space, most recently at the Poetry Foundation as the Manager of Board Relations, and prior to that in exhibition curation and community programming at several museums (Block Museum of Art, Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center). She concurrently held an editorial and research role for international relations publications at Northwestern University. Maris is also a professional musician; performing in a duo with her twin sister, she has collaborated with the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, the Anchorage (Alaska) Symphony Orchestra, Steppenwolf Theatre, and members of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
Maris is a graduate of Northwestern University with an MS in Leadership for Creative Enterprises and a BA in political science, music performance, and art history.