Maria Ramirez is a longtime Worthington resident, public servant, and first-generation American. The daughter of Colombian immigrants who came to the US because of a deep love of learning and a desire to further their education. Maria was born in Columbus, but her family moved back to Colombia when she was just 9 months old. At age seven, her family left everything behind and returned to the U.S., teaching her early the values of hard work, courage, resilience, and community.

Maria holds a B.S. in Architecture from The Ohio State University and a master’s degree in Architecture and Urban Planning from UCLA. Her career spans the nonprofit and private sectors, focusing on school planning, community development, and public art. She currently serves as Public Art Coordinator for the Greater Columbus Arts Council, helping guide public art efforts in Columbus and Franklin County.

In Worthington, Maria has served on the Community Relations Commission since 2020, advancing protections for marginalized groups and promoting equity in housing. She co-chaired the “Diverse and Equitable Community” Vision Implementation Team and currently serves on the Comprehensive Plan Community Committee. The Matriots are eager to see Maria lead and fight for Matriots’ values on council!