Maria Crisanta Castro-Naoe is the first recipient of the Department of Communication’s Outstanding Early Career award. Since graduating, Maria has made a career in real estate and mortgage banking in both Los Angeles and New York City. Despite enjoying both East and West coasts simultaneously for 7 years, having a family lead to a formal base in Manhattan Beach, CA.  Prior to moving to New York, Castro finished an MA in Strategic Public Relations from the University of Southern California. Maria prides herself in her close involvement in St. Ignatius NYC soup kitchen, belonging to Ranger Rosary (a group that makes rosaries for the troops abroad), and Gawad Kalinga – an international nonprofit that empowers the impoverished in the 3rd world through shelter, education, and livelihood programs.