Executive Director Maria Parra Cano
Maria or Carmen as many know her is the mother that put out a call to her community for support. She is co-founder & Executive Director of the Cihuapactli Collective, now in its 6th year. Maria is a Xicana Indigena born in Phoenix, Arizona with her lineages stemming from the Mexica People from Texcoco, Mexico & Raramuri People from Cuauhtemoc, Chihuahua. Maria was raised in Barrio Garfield, along with her 7 siblings. Maria is a community organizer and activist at heart. Prior to having children, Maria served as Director of Prevention, Education, and Immigration Services for a local nonprofit. Maria has experience in program development, grant writing, finance, evaluation, and implementation of social service programs for over 20 years. Maria received her undergraduate degree from Arizona State University in Non-Profit Administration & Sociology, her MBA with an emphasis in Finance from Grand Canyon University, and a culinary arts degree from Scottsdale Culinary Institute - Le Cordon Bleu. She has been married to Brian Cano for the past 10 years and has birthed social entrepreneurship wings with Ironwood Metal Works & Coatl while also birthing 4 little ones - Yolehua Luna, Quizani Texcohtli, Tonaliztli Mitohtiani, and a son - Ayocoyani who is in the spirit world. Maria is a mother, wife, sister, aunt, community organizer, danzante y mujer de ceremonia. Originally guided as part of the Calpoalli Nahuacalco and other ceremonial circles for the past 22 years, while holding space for learning & healing at the direction of elders among the Calpoalli Tlacahuatzin & Mitohtiliztli Huehuetlalli. Maria is a board member of the Sagrado and is a regenerative farmer/co-founder of the Food Forest Cooperative at Spaces of Opportunity in South Phoenix. Maria is also an Indigenous Lactation Educator, birth & postpartum CoMadrita/doula, flower essence specialist, traditional babywearing & rebozo use educator with Indigena.