Maralyn Beck is the Founder and Executive Director of New Mexico Child First Network, New Mexico’s only nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children in foster care and empowering those who serve them. Maralyn is a former single foster parent, having personally fostered over 39 children, aging from newborn to 17. Maralyn has played an integral role in the ongoing efforts to reform New Mexico’s child welfare system, the foster care system, and the Plan of Safe Care law for substance-exposed newborns. She has previously worked for New Mexico’s governor, the state legislature, and Albuquerque Public Schools' communications department. Maralyn co-founded Rise New Mexico to educate, unite, and inspire other local female leaders. Maralyn received her undergraduate degree from the University of New Mexico and her graduate degree from The George Washington University. Maralyn is a past recipient of the New Mexico Business First’s Woman of Influence Award, the New Mexico Dream Center’s Defender Award, and the New Mexico Foundation of Open Government’s William S. Dixon Award. She serves on the Impact Council of the National Women’s Public Leadership Network and the board of the Attachment Healing Institute in Albuquerque. Maralyn enjoys spending time with her partner Andrew, their two dogs and two cats, and their nieces and nephews. She loves gardening and plays tuba in a few local ensembles. Maralyn is a Fellow of the fourth class of the Civil Society Fellowship, a Partnership of ADL and The Aspen Institute, and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.