Maria Paton joined The Skillman Foundation as a department associate in August 2026. In this role, she provides logistical planning and coordination, as well as project execution assistance to ensure the operations team and the president’s office are running smoothly and effectively supported.

Maria has centered her career on community resilience initiatives, such as assisting survivors of natural disasters, providing patients with trauma-informed medical advocacy, planning mobile health clinics, and developing an emergency preparedness program by and for people with disabilities. Most recently, she supported statewide service members (ranging from ages 21 to 76) who contributed their time and talents to municipalities and nonprofits in service to the AmeriCorps state program at CEDAM, the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan. Connecting people with the resources necessary to reach their goals is at the heart of Maria’s professional background. She is grateful for the opportunity to partner with The Skillman Foundation team to take the lead from Detroit youth in collectively transforming the education system.

Areas of expertise:
Project management, event planning, and coalition building

How I can help partners:
Taking care of logistics, anticipating needs, building positive relationships, and planning events that foster connection

Some of my favorite things:
Traveling, hiking, reading, hosting friends, biking, and enjoying live music

How I reenergize:
Watching comedy

A quote that describes my outlook:
“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” — Howard Thurman

Favorite musicians:
Khruangbin, Sleigh Bells, and Kishi Bashi

Favorite book:
The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson

Favorite authors:
Hanif Abdurraqib, Claudia Rankine, Isabel Wilkerson, and James Baldwin