Maru Gonzalez

I’m a former school counselor turned academic whose work bridges research and real-world impact. My focus is on youth development, with an emphasis on social impact storytelling, civic engagement, and belonging. Over the past 20 years, I’ve worked with youth across the U.S., Spain, and Latin America, helping them find their voices and make meaningful change in their communities. I’m passionate about creating high-impact experiences that inspire growth and connection. That passion has driven me to organize TEDxYouth events, lead study abroad programs in Spain and South America, and teach a course in Puerto Rico. Most recently, I co-authored “Teaching Storytelling in Classrooms & Communities: Amplifying Student Voices and Inspiring Social Change” and am currently at work on my second book, “The Community Engaged Classroom.”

belonging, social change, storytelling, youth development

Speed eating