The Outdoor Foundation (OF), the philanthropic arm of the U.S. Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), has named Stephanie Maez its new managing director.
Maez is a longtime strategic policy advocate and nonprofit executive and a former state legislator from New Mexico. Maez currently serves as the senior fellow for race and diversity at the Topos Partnership, a strategic research and communications consulting firm. In this capacity and as an independent consultant, she supports the policy, advocacy and research efforts of foundations and civic engagement organizations across the country. Her recent clients include the Ford Foundation, the Energy Foundation and the New Mexico Black Leadership Council.
Through community grant-making and groundbreaking research, the OF works with young leaders and partners to mobilize a major cultural shift to lead all Americans to the outdoors. In her role with the OF, Stephanie will help advance the organization's development, communications and grant programs. In addition, she will be responsible for the coordination of work across all areas of the foundation, including research projects, issue briefings, community engagement and grants administration. She will report to the OF board chair and the OIA executive director.
