The After the Fire USA Wildfire Leadership Summit
September 20-22, 2022 in Sonoma, CA
KEYNOTE: "Building Resilience, Equity and Community Before and After Disasters" | SPEAKER: Maria Evans, Vice President, Community Impact, Fannie Mae -
About Maria Evans, Vice President, Community Impact, Fannie Mae
Maria Evans delivers a keynote speech on how Fannie Mae uses their role as a mortgage provider to aid disaster recovery. Home ownership, and the loss of those homes in disaster, is a major component of the disaster equation. Maria’s speech targets how Fannie Mae focuses on communities that are impacted by natural disasters, especially on how affordable housing is so important in the rebuild.
Advocating for expanded disaster assistance is a pillar of Fannie Mae’s mission. They provide the Disaster Response Network, which is a direct line for disaster survivors to contact Fannie Mae and receive support about their mortgage and how to move forward.
Each disaster is different, but the impacts upon individuals can be similar, Fannie Mae uses these lessons to better inform their clients and better serve the affected communities in their times of need.
Selected Biography:
Maria leads the Community Impact team which delivers positive social and environmental outcomes for homeowners, renters, and communities by executing community-based initiatives in support of Fannie Mae’s Mission and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Strategy. Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Environmental, Social, and Governance, Maria is responsible for developing partnership opportunities with organizations that focus on historically underserved communities and supporting innovative projects with healthy, affordable housing at the center. She is also responsible for promoting climate resiliency and partnering with local leaders to support their long-term housing recovery plans following natural disasters. Additionally, Maria oversees the company’s corporate citizenship efforts and is responsible for the enterprise strategy to engage Fannie Mae’s 7,500 employees through volunteerism and employee giving programs, ensuring alignment with Fannie Mae’s key business priorities.
Previously, as Chief of Staff to the CEO, Maria was responsible for supporting the CEO’s key priorities and goals, managing the Executive Office operations, and overseeing special projects. Before joining Fannie Mae in 2010, Ms. Evans served in the Peace Corps, based in South Africa. There, she worked as a Schools and
Community Resource Volunteer with Partnership Foundation, a local non-governmental organization, designing and leading leadership and career development programs for young people.