Maria Teresa (Petersen) Kumar was born in Bogotá, Colombia, in 1974, but grew up in Sonoma, California.

She obtained a Master's degree in Public Policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

[2] She later attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, where she recognized the importance of technology in improving the gap in equality in Latino lives.

[3] Currently based in Washington, D.C., the organization uses marketing campaigns and technology to encourage Latinos to participate in the political process.

[5] In 2010, Kumar was the recipient of an Emmy nomination in the Outstanding News Discussion and Analysis category for her role as co-creator and host of the two hour MSNBC television special, Beyond Borderlines.