Maya Reyes Bellavia recently marked her first year at anat., where her background in social work has shaped the way she approaches nonprofit communications.

“I’ve gained insight into all the behind-the-scenes work that goes into a news story and cultural conversations,” Maya said. “It’s fascinating to think about what shapes the many spheres of influence in our lives.”

That perspective has been especially meaningful in her work with arts and culture organizations. One of her favorite projects was Teatro Fest 2026, which brought together performances from 10 Latino-led theaters across New York City.

“It was inspiring to see how artists were using their work to explore immigration, race, culture, and community,” she said. “It’s amazing how many themes and histories you can capture in one play.”

For Maya, the most rewarding part of working with nonprofits is learning how organizations are addressing complex challenges in thoughtful and creative ways.

“At the heart of many of their missions is a commitment to our shared humanity,” she said. “That is something worth fighting for.”