Biography
Maryanne Maldonado has earned her place among Houston’s Most Influential Women of 2018 in Houston Woman Magazine based on her success in executive leadership and her achievements in national and international relations. Chosen as Chief Operating Officer of the Year for her work with the Houston Technology Center by the Houston Business Journal, Maryanne now leads the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston as their Chief Executive Officer. Here she directs the vision and strategy of the Council in its efforts to maintain influence among business and intellectual leaders in Houston.
By successfully attracting a roster of the highest-profile international experts to Houston, Maryanne has established the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston as one of the largest and most active Councils in the United States. Under her leadership, the Council serves the Houston community by providing a platform for thought leadership with individuals at the cutting edge of contemporary world affairs, including luminaries that represent compelling issues of global importance including human trafficking, military history and leadership, domestic and world politics, refugee struggles, the new conservatism, the United States and its evolving role in the world, and the geopolitics of the energy industry.
As the Council’s CEO, Maryanne has also expanded the educational outreach programs of the Council, traveling to historic locations worldwide such as Israel, Cuba, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Poland, Belarus, Russia, and Washington, D.C. These excursions have been enhanced by coordinated visits with executive government and industry leadership to gain a direct understanding of local issues from the leaders who create, understand, and shepherd policy.
Maryanne also has executive oversight of the educational strategy for the Council, bringing greater global understanding to over 25 Houston area high schools and colleges and educating over 2,500 students. Such programs include local and global level trivia contests, as well as the Council’s flagship event, The Jesse H. Jones International Citizen of the Year Awards Luncheon. At this Luncheon, the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston honors an individual who – in the spirit of Jesse H. and Mary Gibbs Jones – has contributed to the international success of Houston.
Growth has always been a guiding force for Maryanne, whose leadership style has led to a greater global, domestic and local outreach, and a rise in international programs in Houston. Having been recognized as a Who’s Who in Energy and a Houston Energy Leader, as well as a board member in several private and not for profit boards, Maryanne continues her passion to learn and lead by regularly speaking at events and conferences. Most importantly, she strives to instill in others a desire for growth, understanding, and personal evolution.
Maryanne’s expertise in organizational transformation has led to the successful revitalization of the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston, and she remains driven to challenge others to achieve exceptional results. Maryanne has a Bachelor of Business Management and a Master of Business Education from LeTourneau University. She and her husband live in the Galleria area and together have four children and three beautiful grand girls. Maryanne enjoys reading, golfing, and spending peaceful weekends at their lake home.