Propel Nonprofits’ mission is to fuel the impact and effectiveness of nonprofits with guidance, expertise, and capital. This mission is in service to a vision of a diverse network of mission-driven nonprofits building a healthy, vibrant, and more just community.

Maureen leads the Living Cities Integration Initiative and Opportunity Neighborhoods for Regional Prosperity work for Northside Funders Group. As director of integrated strategies, she works with local and national partners to advance strategies to increase vitality and economic opportunity in our region.

Maureen Ramirez started working at the University of Minnesota in 2001 in Latino student recruitment. She quickly saw how the system worked against students, particularly those who were undocumented, and was determined to act. Maureen started organizing Dream Act campaigns, but she knew she could do more by working to make changes within the system. With the help of a team of friends and supporters. she was elected to the University of Minnesota's Board of Regents. Maureen wants to continue to change institutions from within. She will use her Fellowship to further develop her leadership and administrative skills to become a transformative leader who can help restore trust in our public institutions. She will use her Bush Fellowship to attend the Executive MBA Program at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota.

As Policy and Research Director, I was responsible for setting the policy direction for Growth & Justice. My role was to provide the research to allow legislators and other policy makers to make data-driven, research-based decisions.

I worked at ISD, Inciativa Social para la Democracia, in San Salvador for 3 weeks on a professional leadership exchange program funded by the U.S. Department of State and implemented by Partners of the Americas. The Legislative Fellows exchange program takes midcareer professionals and sends them abroad to learn about advocacy and government work, focusing on themes of transparency and accountability.ISD is a non-governmental organization in El Salvador that promotes civic engagement and government reforms toward greater transparency. I worked on a project with Saul Hernandez, the director of the Transparency and Anti-Corruption programs at ISD. I evaluated the compliance of the University of El Salvador with the recent Freedom of Information Act that was passed in El Salvador.

Elected to the Board of Regents by the Minnesota State Legislature for a six year term.Served as Committee Chair for Academic and Student Affairs.The Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota has the responsibility to monitor and evaluate the performance of the institution in achieving its goals and fulfilling its mission. The Regents approve major policies, long-range plans, educational programs, and annual budgets. They are also responsible for delegating administrative responsibilities and advise, support and evaluate the president.

The MN CET is a coalition of nonprofits involved in civic engagement activities, including voter engagement and advocacy.

Started as an organizer, and later took over as coordinator of the Minnesota Participation Project. Worked with nonprofits and nonpartisan voter engagement for the 2008 election cycle. MPP has two goals: 1. increased voter turnout in underrespresented populations, and 2. increased capacity in the nonprofit sector to participate in civic engagement.