MARICRUZ TALAVERA

Director of Finance & Operations

EMAIL: [email protected]

Maricruz Talavera-Pettis, Founding Director of Finance & Operations, is native to Milwaukee’s south side. She is a first generation Mexican-American and the youngest of eight children. She graduated from Alverno College with a BA in Business Administration and a minor in Computer Studies. Post undergraduate studies, Maricruz went on to earn her Master’s in Accounting and Financial Management from DeVry’s Keller Graduate School of Management School. She is also a graduate of the Future Milwaukee Program, which is a community leadership program from Marquette University’s College of Professional Studies.

Maricruz was the Treasurer of the Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee. She was on the Alverno College Alumni Board, as the Community Engagement Committee Co-chair. Maricruz has extensive experience in non-profit organizations due to her past 25 years in the industry. She was the Financial Manager at St. Charles Youth & Family Services; Vice President & CFO at the Council for Spanish Speaking now Centro Hispano; Director of Finance & Compliance at Rosalie Manor Community & Family Services; and Director of Administrative Services at St. Joan Antida High School.

Initially, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School interested Maricruz because both of her children attended Catholic high schools and was pleased with their education. Also, she has always had a passion for assisting the underserved in Milwaukee to help them better themselves. Her belief in the Cristo Rey mission drew Maricruz to become a member of the founding team. Along with the other founding members, Maricruz is determined to make Cristo Rey Jesuit High School a great school in Milwaukee.

Maricruz has two adult children, Andres and Alejandra and four grandchildren; Natalia, Aleah, Finely, and Addison.