Michael Vazquez is a theologian, public affairs strategist and strategic advisor operating at the intersection of policy, politics, and values-based public engagement.

He has advised senior leaders across government, philanthropy, and advocacy on high-stakes policy fights, national communications strategy, and coalition-building efforts—with a particular focus on global health, economic policy, and values-driven public engagement.

Michael has led high-impact portfolios across the U.S. Agency for International Development, Human Rights Campaign, and Public Private Strategies, alongside advisory work with leading philanthropic partners, including the Gates Foundation.

He has also supported a dynamic portfolio of clients in developing and executing advocacy and public affairs campaigns, where he built national faith and other third-party engagement strategies, led multi-million dollar initiatives, and worked with both Republican and Democratic policy makers to help shape public narrative and policy positioning across a range of issues.

Today, through The Maiden Group, Michael advises foundations, companies, and coalitions on how to:

Navigate complex political environments

Build durable, cross-ideological coalitions

Shape narratives that resonate across audiences

Translate values into winning policy strategies

His work is defined by a proven ability to operate across sectors and ideologies—bringing together political precision, communications discipline, and moral clarity to deliver results.

Michael holds a B.A. in Political Science and Spanish from Weber State University and a Masters of Theological Studies from Duke Divinity School where his studies focused on the impact of religious rhetoric on the formation of public policy and civil society. He lives in Washington, D.C. with his Samoyed, Athena.