María Carla Chicuén is the Executive Director of Cultural Affairs at Miami Dade College (MDC), where she oversees acclaimed cultural organizations like the
Miami Book Fair, Miami Film Festival, the National Historic Landmark Freedom Tower, the Museum of Art & Design, Koubek Center, and Live Arts Miami.
Born in Cuba, María Carla arrived in the United States as a high school student, a transformative journey that sparked her passion for helping underserved youth reach their full potential. This drive has shaped her career, dedicated to expanding educational opportunities, fostering community development, and creating shared spaces that inspire belonging. Before joining MDC, she was the founding Executive Director of CasaCuba at Florida International University. Her 15-year professional trajectory began at the World Bank in Washington, D.C., followed by a tenure at the Inter-American Development Bank in Panama. Over the years, she has secured more than $36 million in philanthropic funding from government agencies, corporations, foundations, and private donors to support education and cultural initiatives.
María Carla is the author of Achieve the College Dream (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016), a book focused on expanding college access. A frequent speaker
and media contributor, she has presented at national conferences, including SXSW EDU 2025, and has been featured in The Miami Herald, Telemundo, and Univisión. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Celia Cruz Foundation, the Honorary Board of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, and is a Term Member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Additionally, she is an alumna of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce’s Senior Executive Orientation and Leadership Miami, as well as the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers. María Carla holds a Master of Science in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a Bachelor of Arts with High Honors in History from Harvard University.
