Maria I. Lefebre Llavona

María’s academic and professional journey uniquely combines journalism, comparative literature, and law, culminating in a specialized focus on alternative funding. With over 15 years of experience in managing federal and state funds, María’s expertise spans both the private and public sectors. Before her current role at Business Atelier, she served as the Director of Operations & Administration for the CDBG-DR Program under the Puerto Rico Department of Housing, managing a significant $20 billion in disaster recovery funds. She also serves as a board member for ACOMERPR, a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing food security in Puerto Rico, further aligning her professional activities with community impact.
At Business Atelier, María leads the Alternative Funding Department, applying her strategic thinking to maximize funding opportunities and enhance project development. Her approach combines systematic methodology with storytelling, a strategy that not only highlights her outsider’s perspective but also ensures high probabilities of funding success. This approach has been instrumental in connecting organizations with essential resources to drive community and economic development. María’s work is transforming ideas into impactful realities.