Maria provides risk management services to a variety of entities. While focused on healthcare organizations, business and professional services firms, and technology organizations, she has worked with a multitude of industries. Based out of the Chicago office, Maria has over 10 years of aggregate experience. Prior to joining RSM, Maria practiced corporate healthcare law in both transactional and litigation environments. Prior to that, she worked in Big Pharma. Within RSM, she has expanded her industry expertise across all lines of business within the consulting practice with concentrations in privacy and enterprise risk management.
In her current role, Maria delivers advice and consultation regarding complex risk matters, assists engagement teams in internal audit matters, and is responsible for ensuring that clients comply with professional and regulatory standards. Maria has knowledge as it relates to contract and compliance matters both at the state and federal level. She focuses in privacy and security: which includes but is not limited to governance, contract compliance and risk, regulatory compliance, policies and procedures work, cybersecurity, business continuity/disaster recovery, and controls. She works with clients on HIPAA/HITECH, GDPR, CCPA, DFARS and other regulations/standards as they relate to entities and 3rd parties. Maria is also a member of the firm’s blockchain practice, assisting clients in the privacy and security concerns surrounding smart contracts, cryptocurrency, and cryptofund arenas. She regularly participates in data privacy and security panels, conferences, and other thought leadership/education-focused events.
Maria takes an active role in her communities, fueled by her passion for diversity and inclusion. At RSM, she is a member of several employee network groups. Serving on the steering committee of the Hispanic Organization for Leadership and Advancement (HOLA) employee network group at RSM, Maria heads up its professional development efforts as well as serves as the group’s liaison to DePaul in effort to strengthen diverse recruiting efforts. She is an active participant in both the local and national chapters of the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) and the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA).
Professional Affiliations and Credentials:
· Admitted to practice law in IL
· American Bar Association – Cybersecurity Committee of TIPS
· The Chicago Bar Association
· The Women’s Bar Association of IL – Committee member Education
· The Illinois State Bar Association – Data Privacy and Security Committee
· The Hispanic Lawyers Association of IL
· GIC HIMSS – Educational Programs Committee
Education:
· Juris Doctorate, The John Marshall Law School
· Bachelor of Arts, Spanish Linguistics and Literature, University of Arizona