Maria Alvarez

Maria is an expert on media, technology, and Latino families. She first joined the Common Sense team in 2007. Maria designed and led the Common Sense Latino Program, which blended culture and language to connect with Spanish-speaking families and respond to their unique media and technology needs, empowering them to navigate the digital world with confidence. Maria now runs Common Sense’s FACE Program. The Common Sense FACE team is committed to providing advice for all families as they navigate the digital world with a special focus on reaching and serving diverse communities including Black, Latino and lower-income families. Timely issues such as the learning loss and the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will be editorial priorities in 2021. Maria is a sought-after speaker who has presented in the U.S. and abroad. She earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism in Venezuela and her master’s degree in communications in Chile. Prior to joining Common Sense, Maria was Founder & Principal of the Latin Story, and she has worked as a news producer and reporter for outlets including Univision and CNN en Español. Maria is the proud mom of two bilingual and bicultural boys. She lives in Berkeley, California with her family.