Denize Maldonado

Denize Maldonado is an association and community engagement leader with extensive experience strengthening member value, volunteer ecosystems, and organizational impact. As Director of Membership Engagement at Associations West, she guides membership strategy, leads key member and volunteer initiatives, and supports regional councils and advisory groups in advancing a connected and thriving association community.

Her leadership has been recognized nationally and locally. Denize is a recipient of the ASAE 2023 John Graham Fund ReadyMe Scholarship, the 2023 ASAE NextGen Scholar designation, and the Koshland Civic Unity Award and Fellowship from the San Francisco Foundation. Across her career, she has partnered with nonprofits, managed high-visibility projects, and championed programs rooted in equity, access, and community empowerment.

Outside of her professional work, Denize remains deeply involved in community-focused initiatives and consulting projects. She lives in Sacramento with her spouse, their young son, and their two dogs—balancing her commitment to leadership with the joy of raising her growing family.