Maria Anderson

Maria D. Anderson has joined Women for a Healthy Environment (WHE) as Director of Operations. WHE is a non-profit environmental health organization that educates residents about public health risks and addresses toxins in the built environment.

A member of the senior leadership team, Ms. Anderson will work with Women for a Healthy Environment’s Executive Director, Board of Directors and key stakeholders to advance women’s health and well-being across the organization’s key program areas: Healthy Homes, Healthy Schools, Healthy Early Learning Centers, and Health Policy.

Prior to joining WHE, Anderson was the first Operations Lead for BEAM Collaborative, a Pittsɓurgh-ɓased nonprofit that was established to increase opportunities for small and diverse businesses in the region, where she was responsible for BEAM’s daily operations and functions, stakeholder engagement and successfully obtaining operating support from local charitable foundations, corporations and government leaders

Anderson’s career leadership in southwestern Pennsylvania includes more than 25 years of service in both the corporate and non-profit sectors. She served as Assistant Vice President and Corporate Affairs Senior Specialist for BNY Mellon, and Director of Community Programs for Highmark Health. During her tenures, Anderson was an important member of each company’s philanthropic endeavors, charitable sponsorships and employee engagement programs. She has also held operational leadership roles with the National Center for Arts and Technology and Imani Christian Academy. 

Anderson has led corporate-sponsored diversity groups and volunteer teams, working to assist organizations such as the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, the American Cancer Society, Boys and Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium, The Education Partnership and other admired nonprofits throughout the region. 

A native of the Point Breeze neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Anderson is a graduate of Duquesne University. She currently resides in Plum Borough where she continues to volunteer with the POISE Foundation.