Advancement Ally - Maite Zabala-Alday
Senior Director, Corporate Partnerships
1. What is your full name and is there a meaning or story behind it?
My full name is "Maite" Maria Theresa Zabala-Alday. Maite is a family nickname and a common contraction of Maria Theresa found in Spanish-speaking/influenced countries, France, and South Africa. In grade school, I hated my name because people couldn't pronounce it so I'd use Maria or Marie. In high school I started to embrace my name and used "Maite" regularly. The Latino students would say, "You look Chinese but your name is Spanish" so I'd have to explain how Spain colonized the Philippines. Today I love my name. I feel like it fits me.
2. Pronouns:
she/her/hers
3. How do you identify yourself or what is something you would like others to know about you?
I identify as first-generation Filipina-American; Los Angeles born and raised; nature lover; writer and multidisciplinary artist.
4. What is your favorite comfort food?
Kare-kare, a Filipino oxtail stew with peanut sauce and this salted shrimp garnish on top of rice.
5. What are your favorite cultural or family traditions?
I don't know if I have a favorite but I really appreciate my culture/family's traditions around death. We do 9 days of prayer with tons of food, hanging out, and storytelling. While we don't celebrate Dia de los Muertos, I appreciate how people are becoming more familiar with how other cultures celebrate and honor the dead.
6. What is something people wrongly assume about you? (biases, stereotypes, ethnic identity, etc.)
People assume I'm Chinese, Korean, Japanese, or Vietnamese before they guess that I'm Filipina; that maybe I'm shy or quiet; or that I like singing karaoke because I'm Asian. I'm not that shy. I also can't sing.
7. If you could change/create any policy (campus, state or national) what would it be and why?
This changes day-to-day depending on what's going on in the world but what's top of mind for me today is gun policies and ending gun violence. I have a 9 year old and no parent should have to worry about whether their child will be safe at school (or at a concert, a movie theater, or church).
8. If you could have any social justice superpower, what would it be?
If I had a superpower, I'd close wealth gaps with my bare hands and zap people with common sense and compassion.
9. What is something you enjoy doing for others?
I like doing research for other people and organizing other people's spaces. So I can't bake you a cake but I can organize your closet and come up with a fun intinerary in some random city!
10. What is something that makes you feel most alive?
Being outdoors (especially in forest/mountain areas), live music and art.
11. If two (or more) worlds (i.e. music, artists, clothing, movies, eras, genres) could collide/collaborate, what would you choose?
I love REI. If REI had a restaurant, bar, bakery, concert, I'd be there.
12. What is something that should be free but is not?
Healthcare. And extra dipping sauce.
13. Which affiliations/clubs/organizations/hobbies have you been involved in?
I've been on the boards of arts organizations and have volunteered for a number of non-profits that focus on health, housing, education and youth. In terms of hobbies, I enjoy being outdoors - camping and walking trails.
14. What makes you feel uncomfortable?
Parenting is uncomfortable. I feel like everyday I wonder if I'm making the right decisions and choices.
15. What is your favorite thing about working at UCR or your favorite UCR memory?
I loved my first day and seeing the "Welcome to UCR, Maite!" note, decorations, and UCR goodies on my desk. It was a lovely way to start a new job and made such a good first impression.