Our Team

Mario Saucedo

co-founder & Chairman

Mario J. Saucedo has a passion for helping others and working for the benefit of his community, region and country that has led him to devote a significant amount of time to volunteer work for more than a decade. He has been active an active community leader in Redlands for over 20 years.

He has fought hard to bring positive change to our neighborhoods through advocating for youth programs and leading critical efforts to curb youth access to alcohol underage-binge drinking, synthetic drugs, and brining awareness on the dangers of tobacco/vaping products. He knows what an important part our youth play in making our community such a special place to live.

He has served as president of a 17,000+ member union, led a newly formed committee to create a vision plan for North Redlands, California, served as chairman for a housing authority that provides housing assistance for more than 32,000 people, and currently serves a City of Redlands planning commissioner.

In his leadership positions, the Redlands native has lobbied California state legislators and has spoken frequently to the news media. He influenced the establishment of a $230 million Redevelopment Project in Redlands, and he oversaw an $80+ million budget for the Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino.

The North Redlands Vision Plan that Saucedo spearheaded has been accepted by the Redlands City Council and will now be used by city departments to understand North Redlands residents’ priorities. Out of the North Redlands Vision Plan, he later co-founded the Common Vision Coalition where he is currently the Chairman of the grassroots organization.

Saucedo was employed by the City of Redlands for 30 years.

MARIA WHITAKER-SAUCEDO

Co-Founder & VIce-Chairperson

Maria Whitaker-Saucedo is a longtime youth advocate and community volunteer in Redlands whose background includes working for public, private, and government sectors.

As a community volunteer, she served on the Site Council for Orangewood High School for 13 years, the RUSD Title I Advisory Committee, and is associated with several nonprofit organizations in her community.

She is the co-founder/chairperson of the Common Vision Coalition. She acts as a facilitator, coach, and mentor for Spanish-speaking parents who come together to identify and address concerns associated with their children’s education. She specializes in environmental prevention issues related to alcohol, underage binge drinking, tobacco/vaping products, and other drugs.

Maria has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a master’s degree in Management, both from the University of Redlands.