Maria Fergus was born in Michoacan, Mexico to Maria Crisantos Linares and grew up in California. Her mother taught her and her siblings the importance of education and reminded them that their grades in school would determine whether they continued to do physically demanding labor or work with their mind. She grew up working in the fields from the age of five and worked her way out of the field by earning an associate’s degree to work in accounting. She worked as an accountant to pay for her bachelor’s degree to become a Certified Public Accountant. 

During the time her children were school age, she was a classroom volunteer, a girl scout leader, soccer coach and even worked as a substitute teacher, on a part-time basis, when one of her children’s school asked if she could step in to help in that capacity.  

At the end of 2022, she retired as a CPA to be the second team member of the Equity Program at the Kitsap Public Health District, which was birthed from Resolution 2021-01 Declaring Racism a Public Health Crisis, as a community engagement specialist because she had been learning about the impact of racism on a person’s health and overall wellbeing.  

Maria was not diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD until mid-2025. Because she had a strong support system growing up, consisting of family, youth mentors and other adults in her life, she had the opportunity to learn skills to help her succeed despite these challenges. She is excited to be part of a strong community support system as VOPIN’s Education and Care Navigation team. 

She is the mother of three caring adults who continue to be some of her biggest teachers.  She is active in her community to foster belonging, healing, equity, social justice and sustainability. Her hobbies include cooking, reading, crocheting, knitting, embroidery, scrapbooking, water aerobics and hiking. Her favorite past-time is spending time with family and friends while breaking bread together or playing board games.