With more than 30 years of financial industry experience, Maria operates as Chief Executive Officer of her company, The Gables Legacy Group and is a branch manager and financial Planner of Raymond James. Maria's unique ability to manage multiple aspects of a financial planning practice is a testament to her strong capabilities and knowledge.

Maria strives to maintain the highest standards of service. Earning specialized designations, She holds a financial planning certificate from Boston University and is a Certified Estate Planner. As a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor, she guides her clients through their planning process to help them achieve their long-term goals.

Before joining Raymond James in 2012, Maria worked at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney and its predecessor firms for over 23 years - working in various capacities that included administration, management, and financial and retirement planning.

It is her quest for knowledge and excitement for learning that has led Maria to excel. While working her full-time job and raising four sons, she went back to school and completed her Associate in Arts degree in English Literature from Miami Dade College, which she had started so many years before when her children were babies. This wonderful experience inspired her to continue her education which ultimately earned her a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Nova Southeastern University and a Master of Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Secondary Education, Instructional Technology, from the University of South Florida.

Maria is committed to her community and helping others. She is a member of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary which she joined because of her strong patriotism and belief in giving back to the country that welcomed her immigrant parents from Cuba long ago. She is a lifetime member of Psi Chi, an honor society for psychology, as well as a member of Phi Kappa Phi and the United Service Organizations (USO). Maria supports the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA), Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, The Wounded Warrior Project and Manos al Sur.

A Miami native, Maria is bilingual in Spanish and English and lives in South Miami with her family. A fervent animal advocate, she is the owner of (or is owned by!) two, much-loved pups Winnie and Nani. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, fitness and above all dancing.