Marie is a native Californian. Her parents immigrated to the US and worked in the service industry. She was taught the importance of hard work by watching her aunts and uncles build several successful family-owned businesses. Marie pursued her passion in livestock management by studying Animal Science at UC Davis before pivoting from her education to raise her three children in rural northern CA. As a single parent, she grew her career in management by working with nonprofit organizations and local agencies to design, develop and implement new community health and education programs for youth and families. Marie returned to college mid-career and achieved both a Bachelor and Master Degrees in Public Administration from the University of San Francisco.

Senator Alvarado-Gil has also been a public-school educator and innovator serving over 6,000 students in thirteen elementary schools. Marie serves as a State Commissioner for Special Education and has opened several high-performing schools in northern California. Marie is a fervent advocate for educational opportunity and is actively partnering with local Districts and County Offices of Education to respond to what kids need most to feel safe and successful in the classroom. Throughout her career in schools and healthcare organizations, Marie has impacted the lives of thousands of victims of violent crimes, people with disabilities, the mentally ill, the uninsured and working-class individuals. Marie lives in Amador County surrounded by the serene beauty of the Sierra Foothills and rolling hills of vineyards and cattle ranches. She and her husband, Cesar, are parents to a blended family of six children, one grand baby and a grumble of pugs that fill their home with immeasurable joy.