Managing Consultant

“I love working with clients to build on their wisdom and strengths to make meaningful, practical improvements in how they serve their communities.” 

Maria Chesley founded what is now Community Systems Consulting in 2021 to support colleagues working to improve systems of care and help build bridges between resources and the people who need them. She specializes in understanding the needs and language of different sectors—from government and public education to nonprofits providing social services and health care—and bringing them together to more effectively serve children and families.

A former management and software consultant, teacher, and school administrator, Maria served as Executive Director of the Carpinteria Children’s Project from 2013 to 2021. Under her leadership, the organization strengthened service delivery through its partner network and established long-term financial sustainability. Maria’s organizational acumen and keen ability to navigate the forces at play make her a valuable partner for changemakers.

Maria grew up in Richmond, Virginia, and happily still says y’all.

Implementation Specialist

"Working with clients inspires me because I get to be part of their valuable work.”

Ana Cubero is Community Systems Consulting’s multi-faceted implementation specialist. She specializes in projects that call for a variety of capabilities, from training and translation to project management and data analysis.

Trained as a Spanish-English translator with a background in psychology and public health, Ana brings bilingual and bicultural expertise to Community Systems Consulting’s projects. On behalf of the Network of Family Resource Centers of Santa Barbara County, Ana designed and oversees the training ecosystem for Family Resource Centers’ staff, ensuring evidence-informed professional development that matches the cultural and linguistic diversity of the workforce. Ana’s clients value her nimble, dependable support to help them meet the needs of underserved families.

Ana was born and raised in Costa Rica and has lived in four different countries.

Consultant

“I’m energized when clients and I are in it together to support children and families.”

Mari Hickmann brings a wealth of experience in social services systems to Community Systems Consulting. She specializes in supporting government agencies and nonprofit organizations to improve outcomes for children and families through research and evaluation, policy development, and capacity-building.

Mari has spent the majority of her career working in international development. Most recently, she served as team lead on a UNICEF-funded project in Rwanda, where she supported the first standardized national guidance for case management for children who had experienced violence, exploitation, abuse, and neglect and provided case management training for all of Rwanda's government social workers. Clients value her adaptability and flexibility, which are essential for working within community systems.

Mari grew up in Bend, Oregon, loves trail running and her favorite trail run so far was running the Trans-Catalina trail.