Elevating Justice and Humanity in Organizational Design: Spotlight on Dr. Maya Chilese
July 7, 2025
Dr. Maya Chilese is not just an organizational design strategist—she’s a weaver of ecosystems where justice, inclusivity, and human dignity are not ideals, but daily practices. With over 20 years of experience transforming health and human service systems at the local, state, and national levels, Maya has been a guiding force in shaping environments where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
At the Snow-Redfern Foundation, Maya has become much more than a consultant—she’s family. She has been walking beside us as we transition from traditional grantmaking toward a bold, participatory approach. With care and brilliance, she has helped reconstruct our governance structure and organizational practices from the inside out, guiding us with clarity, patience, and fierce compassion.
Maya is the facilitator and curriculum designer behind Root2Rise, our young women’s leadership program. Through this work, she not only inspires the next generation of changemakers, but also nurtures the relational capacities that help them root deeply and rise boldly.
She’s helped us grow and stretch as an organization—guiding us through complex conversations, supporting us in articulating how we want to show up in the world as a private foundation, and building structures that truly empower youth, energize partnerships, and inspire change.
Last year, Maya designed and facilitated a statewide Grantmaking and Participatory Practices Survey, gathering invaluable insight from community members and organizations. Her thoughtful synthesis of that feedback has directly shaped the evolution of our grantmaking.
“Working with Maya has transformed the way we relate to our mission, our community, and to each other. She doesn’t just offer strategy—she helps us remember who we are and what’s possible when we lead with curiosity, courage, and care. We’re not just better at what we do because of her; we’re more honest, more human, and more whole.”
— Sara Wilcox, Snow-Redfern Foundation
Dr. Chilese is a luminous presence—brilliant, grounded, and profoundly relational. We are endlessly grateful for the wisdom, creativity, and heart she brings into our work and our lives.
As we prepare to welcome new cohorts into both our Root2Rise and Young Men Rising leadership programs this fall, we celebrate Maya’s foundational role in shaping these initiatives. Her vision and guidance have helped us plant the seeds, and now we’re ready to tend the next season of growth. Stay tuned for stories, invitations, and the ripple effects still to come.
About Snow-Redfern Foundation
The Snow-Redfern Foundation believes that all young people deserve the chance to grow, lead, and thrive. We work across Nebraska to support youth through partnerships, grantmaking, and programs that lift up youth voice, community wisdom, and shared leadership. By building strong relationships and investing in youth-led change, we help create a better future for everyone.
To learn more or make a donation, visit www.snowredfern.org.