05/21/2026
For Dr. Maggie Mejia, giving back isn’t something she learned later in life. It’s something she grew up with.
"I remember our home was very close to the railroad tracks," she recalls. "We would hear a knock on the back door, and my grandmother would always prepare food to give to whoever showed up." That early example of generosity shaped a lifelong belief in helping others, a value she carried into her career as an educator and, eventually, as the first Latina superintendent of Sacramento City Unified School District.
In 2023, Dr. Mejia established the M. Magdalena Carrillo Mejia Charitable Fund to continue that legacy. Focused on education and the Latino community, her giving reflects both her professional journey and her personal story. "I have always tried giving to each community I am part of," she says, "and it’s so rewarding to know that what I’m donating is going to organizations that support our Sacramento community."
Through her Donor Advised Fund, Dr. Mejia approaches philanthropy with intention by supporting causes that uplift students, immigrant families, and future leaders. She is especially passionate about expanding access to education, from K-12 to scholarships for law students, ensuring the next generation has opportunities she knows can be life-changing.
Just as her grandmother influenced her, Dr. Mejia is now passing those values on to other family members. Whether encouraging her grandson to donate toys or working alongside her son, who is now a donor himself, she sees philanthropy as a family legacy in motion. Giving, she says, is deeply personal. "I feel extremely blessed to be able to help others, and when more abundance comes to me, then I can give to others." Through her fund, Dr. Mejia continues to invest in Sacramento’s future, one act of generosity at a time.
