Maria Luisa Whittingham is a community-driven entrepreneur and ethical sourcing advocate whose work blends business with purpose.

A native of New York City raised in Puerto Rico, Maria is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she studied Fashion Design and Garment Production. In 1987, she founded Maria Luisa Boutique, an innovative lifestyle brand rooted in ethically sourced women’s fashion and home goods. After 36 years in business, she proudly passed the boutique’s legacy forward in 2024.

Today, through Local Global Finds, Maria travels to artisan communities that to date include Guatemala, Kenya, and Mexico, partnering directly with makers and bringing handcrafted goods to the U.S., with a portion of profits supporting her scholarship initiative. Her leadership has been widely recognized, including induction into the Center for Safety and Change Rockland Women Leaders Hall of Fame and being named Woman Entrepreneur of the Year by Hudson Valley Magazine.

Local Global Finds is an online and in-person pop-up curated retail experience based in Nyack, New York, offering fashion, home treasures, children’s goods, and more—each selected with care and intention.

We partner with small brands, artists, and artisan makers around the world whose work reflects craftsmanship, culture, and ethical production. The pieces we share are both beautiful and functional—objects designed to last and to carry story.

Coming soon to Local Global Finds: new opportunities for connection. Through experiential travel, workshops, and classes, we will create spaces for people to learn, slow down, and engage with one another.

Our mission comes full circle by supporting artisan communities through ethical commerce while helping fund the ML Perez Whittingham Scholarship Fund, expanding access to education for the next generation.

When you shop with Local Global Finds, you become part of a global community dedicated to positive change.

Your purchases help us build toward a future where communities—both local and global—can thrive sustainably. Giving back is at the heart of what we do. A percentage of our profits supports local nonprofits, including our Scholarship Fund, as well as education and community development initiatives.

We share details about each product’s origin and the impact it makes, so you can see how your choices support fair and ethical practices. By choosing Local Global Finds, you’re not just buying a product—you’re joining a movement that uplifts artisans, celebrates culture, and enriches lives.

Thank you for being part of our journey to create a better world, one meaningful find at a time.