Maria D. Cabrera
Council Member At-Large
Maria D. Cabrera first served on Wilmington City Council from 2013 to 2017. She is the first Hispanic female elected to office in Delaware, and the first to run for Mayor of Wilmington (2016). She got re-elected to City Council in 2020 and in 2024. She has built strong strategic partnerships, locally and nationally, and has served on over 30 boards and committees.
She is currently active with the Redding Consortium for Educational Equity, and multiple Senior and Affordable Housing Organizations. Maria previously worked in the Wilmington Office of Cultural Affairs under Mayor James H. Sills, Jr. and as Director of Education and Community Relations for the Grand Opera House.
Ms. Cabrera has an entrepreneurship and launched multiple successful businesses. Most notably, she launched the Los Angeles Agency in 2002, an agency that specializes in designing culturally appropriate marketing and communications strategies. Maria has amassed over 38 years of combined marketing, communications, and sales experience, in addition to over 30 years of community organizing and outreach. She is a motivational speaker who frequently gives talks on issues of cultural competency, emerging markets, outreach strategies, healthcare, and professional development. Her outreach includes working with seniors and teenagers. She embraces a positive and holistic outlook, and will always fight for those in need.
She has expanded her business expertise as a Health Insurance Broker, and launched her own agency, Complete Benefits Group, LLC. Her advocacy continues for accessible and affordable health care stemming from her six years as a Federal Navigator for Affordable Care Health Insurance. (ACA)
Maria is an active member of the National Foundation for Women Legislators, National League of Cities, where she serves on several constituency groups; Women in Municipal Government, Hispanic Elected Local Officials, and National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, and NALEO (National Association of Latino Elected and appointed Officials).
Ms. Cabrera has received many awards and commendations, including a letter of appreciation from President Bill Clinton, the Most Influential Hispanic in Delaware Valley Award from the Impacto Latino Media Group, the Outstanding Community Outreach Award from the Latin American Community Center, Keys to the City of Wilmington, and Outstanding Employee distinction from Mayor James H. Sills, Jr. Recognized for her relentless pursuit of the public good, Maria was named one of the most influential Women of the Next Century by the YWCA & Bridge Builder Award.
Standing Committees of Council
Currently serving her fourth term with City Council, she was a President Pro Tempore and serves on the following committees:
- Community Development & Urban Planning Committee (Chair)
- Health, Environmental, Aging & Disabilities
- Former vice chair and current member of Cable, Video and Telecommunications Commission
Councilmember Cabrera is the proud mother of four wonderful children and grandmother of three. She is an active gardener, and strongly involved with the environmental justice movement.