Maria Patricia Niggle is a community builder, systems thinker, and lifelong advocate for equity—especially for Marin’s youngest children and the caregivers who raise them. Whether in a boardroom or a backyard, she brings people together to solve complex problems with heart, strategy, and a deep commitment to justice.

As Executive Director of First 5 Marin, Maria leads with a clear vision: every child in Marin deserves a strong start. Her two decades of experience span social service, early learning research/evaluation, and community development—founding programs, building coalitions, and moving resources where they’re needed most. Maria founded the West Marin Promotores, helped expand preschool access by 32% in West Marin, worked to bring broadband to ranching families, and helped launch the community schools movement rooted in whole-child well-being. She’s a trusted facilitator known for turning conversations into action. She holds a Master’s in Social Work from Columbia University and dual undergraduate degrees in Social Work and Social Science from San Francisco State University. Bilingual in Spanish and English, Maria is just as comfortable presenting to policymakers as she is sitting with families in a school cafeteria.

Maria currently serves on the West Marin Fund board and is a former board member of the Coastal Health Alliance. She is the founder of the West Marin Collaborative. Her leadership is grounded in listening, equity, and the belief that community is the most powerful force for change.