Maria Donnelly is an active-duty Army spouse currently residing in North Carolina. Maria is particularly passionate about military spouse employment issues after a tour in Germany where she saw the impact of un- and underemployment on the mental health, financial stability, and overall resilience of military spouses and families.

She has previously worked at think tanks and for the Department of Defense. She has published reports on foreign fighters and the evolution of transnational threats. Awards include a Department of the Army Civilian Service Commendation medal as well as various other recognitions.

She has lived in two countries outside of the United States and three states as a military spouse and is the proud mother of twins. She holds a BA in International Relations and an MA in International Affairs and currently works remotely for a human rights organization in Washington, DC.