Maria Gonzalez Olson

She’s Raising Record-Breaking Funds to Fight Cancer

Maria Gonzalez Olson is redefining leadership that matters — leadership that saves lives. Not only has she reimagined what’s possible at the American Cancer Society’s West Region, but she has established new benchmarks for leadership across the nonprofit sector. She joined ACS as Senior Vice President for the California Guam Hawaii Division in 2023 with a deeply personal commitment to the mission: She lost both her mother and stepmother to cancer. Under her leadership, what began as a smaller division has now been elevated to full Region status. And the proof is in the numbers. She orchestrated 20% revenue growth in 2023 (and is currently tracking to hit 22.8% in 2024). She increased corporate development by 50% year-over-year. She grew individual giving by an astonishing 91.2% year-over-year. Plus, she brought in millions from record-breaking galas and a new multi-year corporate partnership program. Because of these extraordinary efforts, all six West region markets are among the top 20 nationwide for ACS. Most importantly, it means more money to directly fund the organization’s mission of fighting cancer.

By Audrey Goodson Kingo