Maria Chay – A Life Built on Service and Compassion

From the heart of Milwaukee, Maria Chay stands as a symbol of dedication, compassion, and leadership for the Karenni community in the United States. As a Bilingual Program Manager and Certified Medical Interpreter, Maria has spent more than a decade bridging communication gaps between patients, healthcare professionals, and families — ensuring that language is never a barrier to care.

Her journey began with a simple yet powerful mission: to help her people live healthier, more confident lives. Through her work at the Milwaukee Consortium for Hmong Health, Maria has trained and guided Community Health Workers, expanded health programs, and organized community events that bring people together to learn, share, and support one another.

Maria’s heart for service goes beyond her profession. She serves her faith and community through volunteer roles with the Karenni-American Catholic Association, St. Michael Church, and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, where she helps families with tax preparation and financial guidance.

Balancing her professional life with personal growth, Maria is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Finance at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, after completing her Associate of Arts in Accounting at Milwaukee Area Technical College. Her goal is to use her financial and leadership knowledge to strengthen community health systems and empower others to thrive.

Beyond her many accomplishments, Maria is a proud mother of three sons — and finds peace and joy hiking and spending time with her family and loved ones. Her warmth, humility, and deep sense of purpose shine through in everything she does.

“My life is built on service — as a Community Health Worker tending to needs and a volunteer answering a higher call. I am blessed to give, and fulfilled by helping others thrive.”— Maria Chay