Maria Imperial

Maria Imperial is the CEO of the YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester. Since 1929, the YWCA has pioneered social change through innovative programs that improve the lives of women and families. With a budget of $7 million and 200 staff, each week the YWCA serves over 4,000 people and provides a home for 193 low-income women. Under Ms. Imperial’s leadership, the YWCA completed a $26 million green renovation of its Residence and $4 million bond refinancing of its North St. Activity Center, re-aligned the organization’s programs to better reflect its mission and launched four signature events and programs: the annual In the Company of Women luncheon, the Stand Against Racism, the Westchester Women’s Hall of Fame, and most recently, the Westchester Center for Racial Equity. Ms. Imperial has been recognized by Westchester 914 as a 2018 Women in Business Awardee, Fordham Law School’s Feerick Center for Social Justice Champion of Justice Award, the Westchester Human Rights Commission for promoting human rights and also by the Westchester Community Opportunity Program (WESTCOP) for her community service. She serves on the Board of Directors of Nonprofit Westchester and the Women in the Courts Committee for the Ninth Judicial District.

Ms. Imperial began her career working as an associate at O’Melveny and Myers law firm. She is a graduate of Harvard College, the Robert Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and Harvard Law School. She lives in Yonkers with her husband Roland Acevedo and their two children Alex and Allegra and loves all things Frida Kahlo.