Her Story
About Maria
Dr. Maria Aguilar-Amaya is a Director and Researcher at Arizona State University with nearly 32 years of professional experience spanning research, evaluation, criminal justice, victim services, probation, and behavioral health. Before joining Arizona State University, she spent more than two decades with the Arizona Judiciary, including 11 years as a Researcher/Data Analyst at the Arizona Supreme Court and earlier roles in adult probation and victim advocacy. At Arizona State University, she progressed from Research Analyst to Associate Director and ultimately Director, where she leads research and evaluation initiatives and is lead faculty advisor for the School of Social Work Criminal Sentencing and Sentencing Advocacy certificate program. She is the founder and managing member of JDM Consulting, LLC. Dr. Aguilar-Amaya specializes in mentoring staff, managing multiple evaluation projects, and partnering with nonprofit and government organizations to evaluate federally funded and community-based programs. Her work is particularly focused on addiction, mental health, justice-involved populations, reentry, and improving access to compassionate, evidence-based behavioral health services. She is passionate about connecting research with real-world practice and ensuring that data and evaluation are used not only to strengthen programs and systems, but also to improve outcomes for underserved and Spanish-speaking communities. Beyond her professional responsibilities, Dr. Aguilar-Amaya is deeply committed to community engagement, advocacy, mentorship, and creating platforms for meaningful community conversations. She hosts Temas de Interés con la Doctora María, an interview series with Latino USA TV in Phoenix that highlights community leaders and professionals working to address issues such as crime, addiction, homelessness, and community well-being. She is also involved with the Laveen Coalition, supporting efforts related to substance-use prevention among youth, and participates in professional organizations including the Arizona Evaluation Network, NAADAC, Arizona Association of Addiction Professionals, the American Probation and Parole Association, and the American Evaluation Association. Guided by faith, education, compassion, and perseverance, Dr. Aguilar-Amaya is dedicated to helping strengthen communities and ensuring that the people represented in research and statistics are always recognized as individuals whose lives, experiences, and dignity matter.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Maria
01What do you attribute your success to?
My connection with God / Creator has been crucial, especially through challenges like balancing work and family, and the passing of my mother. My mom was my biggest cheerleader, always encouraging me and reminding me the importance of relying of God for all things.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
My mother's emphasis on the value of education, perseverance, and not letting people run me out of a job that I am passionate about. Professional mentors like Henry Dominguez, Ray Cruz, J.L. Doyle, and Dr. Wendy Wolfersteig who believed in me enough to invest their time to guide and mentor me. A college professor's advice: find a job you love and you'll never work a day in your life (very cliche, but so true).
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't be afraid to put yourself out there. Find a seasoned mentor who is passionate about mentoring the next generation, someone who has a sincere desire to see others rise and won't feel threatened by your knowledge, skills, and goals.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is battling the system itself, which is supposed to help people but often becomes the greatest obstacle. Instead of creating a clear path to support, the system can feel confusing, rigid, and difficult to navigate, especially for individuals who are already carrying heavy burdens. This often leaves people feeling discouraged, unheard, and forced to fight for the very resources that were designed to help them move forward.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My greatest values are faith, loyalty, and kindness because they guide how I live, how I treat others, and how I move through difficult situations. Faith gives me strength and purpose, loyalty reminds me to stand by the people and commitments that matter, and kindness allows me to lead with compassion, understanding, and respect.
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