Full Name
Maria Barry
Job Title
National Executive, Community Development Banking
Company
Bank of America
Speaker Bio
As National Executive overseeing the Community Development Banking team, Maria helps support the creation of affordable and mixed-income housing. She and her team develop innovative financing solutions and leverage key relationships to fund projects that improve housing, education, and quality of life while creating local jobs. By directly addressing the challenges that can hinder underserved individuals, veterans, the formerly homeless, and those with special needs, Maria and her team channel Bank of America’s financial strength to help transform communities into vibrant neighborhoods. In her role, Maria has worked to provide growing levels of funding for community development year after year. This includes five consecutive record years of financing totaling over $26 billion and resulting in the creation of more than 65,000 affordable housing units. In 2021, Maria also helped launch the first fund with dedicated financing and support for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) developers.
Maria is a proud member of Bank of America’s Power of 10 Operating Committee, leads a Power of 10 group, and is Executive Sponsor for LEAD for Women in Rhode Island, where she works to elevate future female business leaders. She was appointed by the Governor of Rhode Island to serve on the Rhode Island Housing Board of Commissioner and is on the Executive Board of NH&RA (National Housing and Rehabilitation Association). Maria also served for 12 years on the national board of Enterprise Community Partners. All three organizations are focused on finding ways to create more housing, drive economic mobility, and racial equity. In 2023 Maria became a Founding Member of Connected Communities’ Board of Directors, a nationally recognized nonprofit operating foundation whose mission is to create stable, connected, and empowered communities. In 2023, Maria was inducted into the University of Connecticut School of Business Hall of Fame. Maria received the Women’s Industry Leader in Financial Services Award from Providence Business News. She was recognized as one of the Top 10 Most Influential Women by Affordable Housing Finance Magazine and is a two-time winner of the Women of Influence Award from GlobeSt. Real Estate Forum. Maria graduated from the University of Connecticut where she was captain of the track and cross-country teams. She is a CPA and holds Series 7, 24, and 63 FINRA securities licenses.
Maria is a proud member of Bank of America’s Power of 10 Operating Committee, leads a Power of 10 group, and is Executive Sponsor for LEAD for Women in Rhode Island, where she works to elevate future female business leaders. She was appointed by the Governor of Rhode Island to serve on the Rhode Island Housing Board of Commissioner and is on the Executive Board of NH&RA (National Housing and Rehabilitation Association). Maria also served for 12 years on the national board of Enterprise Community Partners. All three organizations are focused on finding ways to create more housing, drive economic mobility, and racial equity. In 2023 Maria became a Founding Member of Connected Communities’ Board of Directors, a nationally recognized nonprofit operating foundation whose mission is to create stable, connected, and empowered communities. In 2023, Maria was inducted into the University of Connecticut School of Business Hall of Fame. Maria received the Women’s Industry Leader in Financial Services Award from Providence Business News. She was recognized as one of the Top 10 Most Influential Women by Affordable Housing Finance Magazine and is a two-time winner of the Women of Influence Award from GlobeSt. Real Estate Forum. Maria graduated from the University of Connecticut where she was captain of the track and cross-country teams. She is a CPA and holds Series 7, 24, and 63 FINRA securities licenses.
Speaking At
