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In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, GlobalMindED highlights Hispanic leaders, role models, and those who are committed to advancing Hispanic heritage, people, and culture.
A Catalyst for Change: The Inspiring Story of Maria D. Zubia
Maria D. Zubia, a native of Commerce City, CO, is a mother of three and a distinguished community leader with over 30 years of experience in community navigation, public health advocacy, and operations management. Fluent in both Spanish and English—what she describes as being "linguistically gifted"—she excels at guiding families through complex resource referrals and support systems across local, county, state, and federal levels. Ms. Zubia is recognized for her leadership in community health initiatives, her advocacy work, and her expertise in cultivating strategic partnerships. In her free time, she actively volunteers on numerous boards and initiatives, always focused on creating impactful solutions for families in need. She is also a proud member of the Adams 14 School Board, the Latinas Give Denver giving circle, and the Commerce City Rotary Club, firmly believing that everyone can make a difference by giving their time, talent, treasure, and testimony.
What's your personal story?
My personal story is rich and complex—one I hope to capture in a book someday. I was the only Spanish-speaking student in my elementary school class. By age six, I became a translator and interpreter for my family. My father was bilingual but couldn’t read or write, and my mother didn’t speak English, which shaped my early experiences. I have lived through the emotionally draining and horrific immigration process to secure legal status for my ex-spouse, experienced four high-risk pregnancies with three surviving, became a single parent, and faced the profound loss of two sisters and both of my parents.
I also want to acknowledge that I worked for a nonprofit clinic for over 21 years as the Director of Community Outreach before changing to my current position as Director of Health Equity with Adelante Community Development an organization focused on guiding Spanish speaking entrepreneurs towards their success.
I’ve encountered many of the social determinants of health that impact so many. These life-changing events, though challenging, have become my motivation and inspiration, empowering me to support others in ways I once wished for and allowing me to be a source of strength for those navigating their own complex journeys.
What key moments in your life led you to where you are today?
Key moments in my life that shaped who I am today include profound personal losses and joyful milestones. There are too many to list, so I will share just a few. The passing of my baby sister when I was six, my eldest sister's death when I was 26, a miscarriage at age 30, my father’s death when I was 36, and most recently, my mother’s passing in 2019, were heartbreaking experiences that deeply impacted me. Equally significant were the births of my three children in 1999, 2002, and 2005, which brought immense love and purpose into my life. These moments of loss and love have driven me to live with greater empathy, resilience, and a deep commitment to helping others.
Where does your passion to serve come from?
My passion for serving stems from the values my parents instilled in me—to help others in need, even when we ourselves were struggling. Their unwavering spirituality and faith in humanity, along with the integrity, commitment, and self-reliance they modeled, left a lasting impact. As I grew older and faced injustice, discrimination, racism, and other traumatic experiences, my desire to serve deepened. These challenges fueled my sense of responsibility to support others, not only by helping them navigate complex systems but also by preventing the difficult lessons I endured. Through this, I continue to honor the legacy my parents left behind. There is a saying in Spanish that I learned from my mother and still apply today: “hacer el bien sin fijarte a quien,” which translates to “to do good without paying attention to whom.”
How can GlobalMindED help you reach your goals?
My goal is to continue sharing the powerful testimonies of perseverance from marginalized communities—those often labeled as 'less than' by the dominant culture. I believe in amplifying their voices and experiences, highlighting their strength, resilience, and contributions to challenge harmful narratives perpetuated by systemic racism and inspire a more inclusive and equitable future. GlobalMindED can help me reach this goal by providing a platform to amplify impactful stories through its network and resources, which have the potential to spark change. GlobalMindED’s focus on inclusivity, education, and leadership development aligns with my personal mission to uplift those historically silenced, helping to create a movement for a more just and equitable society.
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