Join us for the International Women’s Committee (IWC) Annual Luncheon, honoring women in the community who have had a major impact on the arts. This year, we are honoring María C. Bechily for her dedication to the arts and philanthropy in Miami.
Honoring
International Women’s Committee Chair
- Darlene Boytell-Pérez
Steering Committee
- Trixie Belo-Osagie
- Carol Damian
- Mireille Chancy Gonzalez
- Jill Ginsberg
- Alexandra Lane
- Kristina Newman Scott
- Mindy Solomon
- Tish Squillaro
About María C. Bechily
María C. Bechily’s life has always been grounded in community, culture, and service.
Born in Matanzas, Cuba, Maria came to the United States in 1961 during Operation Pedro Pan, the historic airlift that brought more than 14,000 Cuban children to safety without their parents. At just 12 years old, she first landed in Miami, a stranger in a new land. If her 12-year-old self could have known that decades later she would return to Miami and build a life beyond anything she imagined, she would have been overjoyed. She spent two years living in foster homes in the Chicago suburbs before finally reuniting with her family, an experience that deeply shaped her lifelong commitment to giving back.
Growing up in Chicago, Maria embraced her new home while staying closely connected to her Cuban heritage. She became involved with organizations supporting the Latino community and later earned degrees from Loyola University Chicago and University of Chicago.
As Chicago’s Hispanic population grew, Maria recognized that many corporations and institutions were not effectively reaching Spanish-speaking audiences. She went on to found one of the city’s first public relations firms focused on multicultural and Spanish-language communications, helping major companies, nonprofits, and public institutions better connect with Latino communities at a time when that kind of outreach was still relatively new. Her work helped elevate the visibility and influence of Latino consumers throughout Chicago.
Alongside her work in communications, Maria also hosted a Spanish-language television show on Univision in Chicago, where she highlighted community issues, celebrated Latino culture, and created space for conversation, information, and entertainment.
Her leadership extended far beyond business. Over the years, Maria served on numerous nonprofit boards throughout Chicago, including the Northwestern Memorial Foundation, where she co-chaired a major capital campaign supporting groundbreaking medical programs, research initiatives, and a new women’s hospital. At Goodman Theatre, she chaired several committees, including education, advocating for greater access to the arts. She also played an important role at The Chicago Community Trust as a co-founder of Nuestro Futuro, now the nation’s largest Latino affinity fund dedicated to philanthropy.
Art has long been one of Maria’s passions, dating back to seeing the iconic Chicago Picasso sculpture gifted to the city in 1967. Over the years, she developed a deep appreciation for public art and the work of artists like Marc Chagall, Joan Miró and Jean Dubuffet. As the wife of a prominent art attorney, she has spent decades immersed in the art world and experienced major cultural moments firsthand, including Surrounded Islands in Miami.
Maria and her husband, Scott, are also passionate art collectors, with many pieces in their collection reflecting her Latin American roots and heritage. Even their dog, Diego, is named after Diego Rivera.
After moving to Miami in 2014, Maria quickly became active in the city’s arts community. She joined the board of Pérez Art Museum Miami, where she has chaired both the development committee and an ad hoc endowment committee. She also serves on the boards of ArtesMiami, Locust Projects, Women Photographers International Archive and the Dora Maar Cultural Center, while continuing to support organizations including Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami, Bakehouse Art Complex, Lowe Art Museum and Oolite Arts.
Today, Maria is recognized for the lasting impact she has made through her leadership, philanthropy, and dedication to creating opportunities for others.
