Arnulfo Manriquez serves as President and CEO of MAAC Project, a community-based organization committed to providing essential services, leadership development and advocacy in San Diego County. Since assuming leadership of MAAC in 2012, Arnulfo has transformed the organization into an engine of positive change, doubling its operations from $32 million to over $65 million by 2023.
With more than 500 employees, MAAC has significantly expanded its reach, providing programs in key areas such as early childhood education, health, economic development, housing, leadership and advocacy. The organization currently has several housing projects under development, establishing itself as a leader in improving the quality of life for more than 100,000 people a year. Among its most recent achievements, MAAC increased its minimum wage to $18.63 per hour and improved the salaries of its preschool teachers and support staff by up to 35%, with an average of 24%. Now, a preschool teacher with a college degree starts at an average annual salary of $65,000, setting a precedent in the education sector.
Arnulfo brings more than 30 years of experience in the nonprofit arena to his leadership. Since 1993, he has worked tirelessly to strengthen communities, holding leadership positions on various boards, including UnidosUS, San Diego Housing Federation and Library Foundation SD. He is a graduate of the University of California at San Diego (UCSD), where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies and Planning, and also holds a master’s degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the University of San Diego.
Born in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico, Arnulfo immigrated to the United States in 1981 and has lived on both sides of the San Diego-Tijuana border, which has given him a unique perspective and a deep commitment to border communities. As the youngest of five children and the single father of two daughters and a son currently a high school senior, Arnulfo embodies the values of resilience and generosity that inspire our community.
His dedication to service and his transformative impact in San Diego make him a role model within the #LatinoExcellence community. Arnulfo Manriquez not only leads with strategic vision, but also with a generous heart and an unwavering commitment to the collective well-being.
