Lieutenant, New York City Police Department, Office of the Police Commissioner
Formerly White House Fellow, Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Maria Gilbert serves as a lieutenant for the New York Police Department (NYPD), where she evaluates programs and policies affecting over 50,000 staff members and oversees organizational changes. With over 19 years of dedicated service in the NYPD, Maria also volunteers as a peer support member, providing critical mental health resources to employees in need. In addition to her work with the NYPD, Maria founded Beads of Hope. This nonprofit organization promotes cancer awareness, prevention, and cure, with a particular focus on the mental health of cancer patients. Maria's dedication to public service and community welfare is evident in her multifaceted career and volunteer endeavors.
Maria was appointed as a White House Fellow for the 2022-2023 class, where she worked at the Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. During her fellowship, she led the creation of an internal leadership development program, mentored junior staff, and launched an internal 'Solutions Box' application to foster innovation and collaboration. Maria's expertise in policy allowed her to deliver regular briefings to government officials and build strong networks with leaders across various sectors. She holds a bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering with a minor in Black Studies from SUNY New Paltz and a Master's in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School. Additionally, Maria has earned professional certifications in Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University. A proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Maria balances her professional and volunteer commitments with being the mother of an energetic and inquisitive three-year-old.
