Maria Del Cid-Kosso

Maria Del Cid-Kosso is a longtime New Jersey resident, born in Guatemala and raised in Plainfield. Prior to being appointed by Governor Phil Murphy to the Cannabis Regulatory Commission, Maria was the director of Policy and Legislative Services at the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH). She worked tirelessly responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and leading strategic communications on statewide vaccination efforts. Maria was instrumental in crafting and assessing hundreds of legislative bills that promoted equitable policies in healthcare.

Maria is a devoted public servant. At 23 years old, she became the chief of staff to the late New Jersey Assemblyman and Speaker Pro Tempore, Jerry Green. There she played a key role in managing legislation in the Assembly’s Health and Housing-Community Development Committees. Maria earned her associates degree in psychology at Union County College and continued her education at Seton Hall University where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and political science. She also holds a master’s in public affairs and politics from the Edward Bloustein School, Rutgers University.

Del Cid-Kosso is passionate about expanding the educational opportunities available to undocumented youth and amplifying marginalized voices in politics. At the age of 25, she established her very own “Del Cid Dreamers” Scholarship with the Union County College (UCC) Foundation. Maria is an alumna of the New Jersey New Leaders Council, Emerge NJ, and Rutgers NEW Leadership Program. She is a former board member of LUPE Fund Inc., a Barack Obama Fellow (OFA), and was the first Latina elected president of the Union County Young Democrats. Del Cid also served as the co-chair of the Latino Caucus, NJ Democratic State Committee. She currently serves as board member of the Latina Civic Foundation. Del Cid-Kosso was awarded the Union County Women of Excellence Award in Government, the Hazel Frank Gluck Award from the Eagleton Institute of Politics, and the Urban League of Union County Young Professionals Award in Government. She has also been recognized as Insider NJ’s 2021 Top 6 Millennial; Insider’s 100 Cannabis Leaders; Insider’s 50 under 30; and Insider’s Top 100 Millennials (2018-2022).

Del Cid-Kosso is a proud military spouse and currently lives in Mercer County with her husband.