Maria Cuenca-Romero is driven by a genuine desire to give back, turning her passion for public service into meaningful change for the communities she serves. After attaining a bachelor’s degree in political science and global studies, Cuenca-Romero served in the Peace Corps in Peru before signing up for Lead for North Carolina. Lead for NC is a leadership development program that places aspiring public service leaders in fellowships at local government offices across the state. She was drawn to the real-world experience the program offered, as well as the variety of projects and the opportunity to work in areas that interested her.