Maria Ungaro

Maria Ungaro is a Vice President of Kellen Company and serves as Executive Director for New York Women in Communications (NYWICI), a professional society, where she provides expertise in membership growth and retention strategies. She also serves as Awards Director for the Airline Passenger Experience Association, as well as the Executive Director for the New York Women in Communications Foundation, the largest foundation for women’s communications scholarships in the United States.

Ungaro is a seasoned association executive with more than 15 years at Kellen Company. She is highly skilled in strategic thinking, operational effectiveness, membership retention, growth marketing and major event planning and fundraising. Ungaro has also previously served Kellen Company in many other capacities including roles as Executive Director for the New York Women's Agenda and Deputy Director to many trade associations such as the Builders Hardware Manufacturers and the Window Covering Safety Council. 

As Executive Director of NYWICI, she oversees all the programming for the organizations, as well as the Matrix Awards Luncheon, which has been recognized by New York's communications and entertainment communities as one of the most outstanding events of the year.  Proceeds from the Matrix Awards Luncheon serve to develop and maintain a full calendar of affordable programs and special events, networking and support systems for New York Women in Communications members and the community at large. 

Prior to joining Kellen Company, Ungaro worked for a management consulting firm specializing in crisis communications, public relations and corporate positioning. A graduate of Fordham University, Ungaro holds both a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major of Political Science with minor a Minor in Economics, as well as a Master of Business Administration in Marketing.