Meet Maya Hoffman: A Lifelong Connection to Monterey Bay
By Emily Hess, June 8, 2026
For Maya Hoffman, MBFT’s incoming board member, Monterey Bay has never just been a place on a map—it has been a source of inspiration, purpose, and community for nearly her entire life.
Although Maya grew up in landlocked Denver, Colorado, her summers were spent in Monterey with her grandparents. It was there, at just eight years old, that she first learned to sail through the junior program at the Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club. What began as a childhood pastime grew into a lifelong passion, shaping the course of her future.
"Growing up sailing in Monterey Bay, I thought seeing whales, sea otters, and all of this incredible biodiversity was normal," Maya recalls. "As I got older, I realized just how unique and special this place really is."
That early connection to the Bay sparked a deep curiosity about the marine environment and a desire to help protect it. At age fifteen, Maya began an internship with Marine Life Studies, where she conducted marine mammal research and assisted with whale disentanglement efforts. The experience strengthened her commitment to ocean conservation while she continued to pursue competitive sailing.
Her passion for service eventually expanded beyond the water. While attending Mount Holyoke College, where she double majored in Politics and French, Maya discovered a calling to public service. An internship with the Civil Rights Center at the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, D.C., gave her firsthand insight into the role of government and reinforced her desire to work in support of communities and social impact.
That path ultimately led her back to Monterey, where she earned a Master's degree in International Environmental Policy from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, specializing in Ocean and Coastal Resource Management. During graduate school, she also worked at the Monterey Harbor and Marina, gaining a deeper appreciation for the local boating and fishing communities that help define Monterey's coastal identity.
Today, Maya serves as Operations Manager for the Collaborative for Right Relations, an organization focused on helping people and institutions build stronger relationships with lands, waters, and one another. Through her work, she collaborates with diverse partners committed to environmental stewardship and community resilience.
"I love getting to know people who bring different gifts, perspectives, and experiences," she says. "The work deepens my relationship with this community, and with the lands and waters I care so deeply about."
Why MBFT?
Maya's interest in the Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust was sparked by one program in particular: the Trust's quota leasing program, which helps local fishermen maintain access to fishing opportunities in an increasingly competitive industry.
"I think it's incredibly important that we do everything we can to support small fishing operations," Maya says. "Our local fishing community has a long, multigenerational history on these waters and plays such an important role in what makes this region special."
As a board member, Maya is excited to contribute her background in ocean policy, conservation, community-building, and maritime industries while continuing to learn from fishermen and others who depend on Monterey Bay for their livelihoods.
Building Resilient Communities
At the heart of Maya's work—and her reason for joining the board—is a belief in the power of community.
"Change starts at home," she says. "Healthy and resilient communities can withstand tremendous pressures. Community is our strongest support system and one of our most reliable resources in a world that can often feel too big to influence."
She is particularly inspired by collaborations that bring people with different perspectives and experiences together to solve complex challenges. Whether it's connecting environmental stewardship with working waterfronts or creating opportunities across generations, Maya sees partnership as essential to building a sustainable future.
"What gives me hope is seeing unexpected collaborations happen," she says. "The youth bring vision, our elders bring wisdom, and every generation brings something valuable to the table."
Beyond the Boardroom
When she's not working, Maya can usually be found on the water.
An accomplished competitive sailor, she races nationally and internationally in offshore sailing events, including the Newport-to-Bermuda Race, the Marblehead-to-Halifax Ocean Race, and California Offshore Race Week. A self-described weather enthusiast, she loves studying wind patterns, weather systems, and ocean conditions.
"I'm a huge weather nerd," she laughs. "Don't get me started talking about clouds."
Maya is also passionate about expanding opportunities for women in sailing and enjoys coaching and mentoring young women as they pursue high-level competition in the sport.
Off the water, she enjoys reading, creative writing, cooking, weightlifting, spending time with family and friends, and taking long walks along the beach with a good podcast.
We're thrilled to welcome Maya to the Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust Board of Directors and look forward to the perspective, energy, and commitment she brings to supporting local fishermen and strengthening our coastal communities.