Maria Cunningham
26 | Business Office Coordinator, UVM Foundation
Residence: Burlington
Career highlight(s) you are most proud of:
Successfully juggling all of my professional responsibilities day-to-day and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic — from owning and operating the UPS Store with my husband, to teaching multiple classes each week at Pure Barre Vermont, to working full-time for the UVM Foundation. At the UPS Store, we worked alongside our staff to provide quality service on a daily basis to the community throughout the quarantine phase, even when most businesses were closed.
Your community involvement:
My community involvement began with teaching flute and piano lessons to elementary school students when I was 14 years old. I also became a volunteer at the Rutland Regional Medical Center, where I dedicated over 500 hours. Since living in South Burlington, I have volunteered with the South Burlington Public Library. I also assist with the annual holiday toy drive at the UPS Store in the Blue Mall in South Burlington.
Inspiration for living and working in Vermont:
I was motivated to live and work in Vermont by the kind people who live here. I love how the size of the state provides the ability to make connections easily, but its strength allows us to leverage those connections to accomplish tasks of magnitude together.
Favorite part of your job:
Cultivating personal relationships. I am an extrovert to the core, and in all three of my roles I am driven by the relationships I have with customers, members, colleagues and alumni. I love talking with others and making new acquaintances. It is most rewarding for me to walk away from a conversation having learned something new about someone and having heard them talk about something they love.
Most inspiring mentor:
Kristen Kelley Scavone, principal and chief operating officer at Office Environments Vermont. She is an extremely smart businesswoman who inspires me professionally on a daily basis. On a personal level, I am inspired by the way she handles her many responsibilities while still managing to find time for family and friends. In my daily life, I do my best to emulate her level of professionalism, business sense and kindness.
Best career advice you have received:
To not be afraid to advocate for myself and for what I want — to believe that I am qualified and able to reach for big goals (and that I can be successful in achieving them).
Three words that best describe you:
Thoughtful, social and motivated.
Cause(s) you would support if you had unlimited funds:
All types of animal rescues.
