Maya Lawton

About

Maya was born in Davis, California and is a second-generation child of Mexican and Salvadorian immigrants. Prior to GSPP, Maya served as a Research, Evaluation, and Data Analyst with the San Francisco Department of Children, Youth, and their Families for two years working on program evaluation, citywide data collection of children and youth service needs, and strategic grant-making. Maya has also completed a fellowship with the Our Children, Our Families Council (OCOF) where she worked alongside youth to support the coordination of San Francisco’s Child Friendly City Initiative. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy and minor in History from the University of San Francisco and is a recipient of the University of San Francisco's Father Flynn Award. 

Maya is passionate about creating and improving policy solutions that are rooted in community voice, racial equity, and reciprocity. She is a strong writer, listener, and do-er that is driven by social justice and helping others. She brings a critical lens of creativity and philosophy to her work and is an active believer in collective impact. She is looking forward to researching a range of policy areas related to education, housing, employment, and poverty inequality, all with a focus on promoting racial equity and social justice. 

Policy Interests

• Children, Youth and Families
• Design Thinking
• Education
• Economic and Community Development
• Housing & Urban Policy
• Innovation
• Poverty & Inequality
• Race & Policy