Maria Echaveste was President and CEO of the Opportunity Institute, a non-profit advocacy group, until fall 2024, when the organization merged with Children Now. She is currently Special Advisor to Children Now, focused on increasing social and economic mobility and advancing racial equity. Before that, she built a distinguished career working as a consultant, lecturer, senior White House official, long-time community leader, and corporate attorney.

Among her previous roles, Echaveste served in President Clinton’s administration, including Assistant to the President and Deputy White House Chief of Staff (1998-2001) and Wage and Hour Administrator of the U.S. Department of Labor (1993-1997). Echaveste currently serves on the board of directors of UCSF-Benioff Oakland Children’s Hospital; and Cadiz, Inc. (a publicly held natural resources company). Additionally, she has been affiliated in various capacities with UC Berkeley, including joining the Advisory Boards of the Edley Center on Law and Democracy at UC Berkeley School of Law and the Goldman School of Public Policy in 2024.