Maria Bruno joined Equality Ohio in August 2021 as the Public Policy Director. She leads EO’s policy strategy at the local, state, and federal level.

Throughout her career, Maria has utilized her legal education and community organizing background to address systemic problems through smart public policy and practical systemic solutions. Maria has been an advocate with the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio (COHHIO), America Votes, and the ACLU of Ohio, and has worked on public policy issues ranging from civil rights to affordable housing to criminal justice reform.

She was born and raised in Medina, Ohio, earned a B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh, and a J.D. from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. Maria began community organizing in college and continues to work with a diverse array of local organizers and advocates in Columbus on civil rights and anti-poverty issues. Maria also serves on the Cleveland Votes Advisory Board.