Thirteen Years as CEO. Sixty Years of MAAC. A Moment to Reflect, Recharge, and Move Forward.

By Arnulfo Manriquez, President & CEO, MAAC

This week, I had the privilege of standing before more than 500 MAAC team members and partners at our 12th Annual MAAC Impact Conference. Every year, this gathering serves as a powerful reminder of who we are and why we do this work.

It’s more than just a conference. It’s a reset. It’s where we reflect on what we’ve accomplished, recognize the dedication of our team, reconnect with each other, and recommit to the mission that’s guided us for the past 60 years. It’s our annual booster, and this year, it felt more important than ever.

A Legacy Built on Community

When MAAC was founded in 1965, San Diego was on the rise: industry was booming, freeways were reshaping and dividing the city, and the future looked promising for some. But not for everyone. For too many families, opportunity was just out of reach.

MAAC was born to change that. We were created to be part of the solution, to stand with those who were overlooked, and to build pathways where none existed. For six decades, we’ve done just that, providing early childhood education, affordable housing, job training, recovery programs, and more.

I’ve been part of this journey for 20 years, and I’ve had the honor of serving as CEO for the past 13. I started at MAAC with a passion for community and a desire to serve. Today, that passion is stronger than ever.

Looking Ahead with Purpose

We know the path forward won’t be easy. We’re facing real challenges: tightening funding, rising costs, growing need. We may have to make difficult decisions. But that doesn’t shake our resolve.

Instead, it sharpens our focus. With the board’s recent approval of our updated Strategic Plan, we’re doubling down on four priorities:

  • Economic Mobility – We want families to thrive, not just get by.
  • Sustainability – We’re expanding funding streams to ensure our work endures for decades to come.
  • Policy & Influence – We’re raising our voice to help shape the systems and decisions that impact our communities.
  • Employee Well-Being – Because we can’t serve others unless we’re taking care of our own team.

I also shared something personal at the conference. My children are grown now. The house is quieter. And while part of me expected this stage to bring calm, I find myself more driven than ever. Because this work is not just what I do, it’s who I am. And I know many of my colleagues feel the same way.

The Call to Action

As we mark MAAC’s 60th anniversary, I challenged our team to think forward:

  • How will you unite with others?
  • How will you uplift someone in need?
  • How will you use your skills and voice to move our mission forward?

This is a moment to not just keep going but to lead. To adapt. To look at every challenge as a chance to reimagine, refine, and renew.

If you’re reading this and wondering how you can support – partner with us, invest in this work, or simply reach out. The journey ahead will require all of us. But I believe in our people, our purpose, and our power to keep moving forward.

Gracias,
Arnulfo Manriquez
President & CEO, MAAC