Diversity & Innovation
A series highlighting Diversity and Inclusion in Innovation and Design Thinking
Maria Contreras-Sweet
April 12th, 2021
Maria Contreras-Sweet is a successful entrepreneur and United States government official who served as the 24th Administrator of the Small Business Administration under President Obama. Born in Guadalajara, her family emigrated to the US when she was five years old and she eventually earned a degree at California State University. She was the founder and executive chair of ProAmérica Bank, the first Latino-formed commercial bank in California in over 35 years, aimed to help the local small business community. Contreras-Sweet also founded a marketing and research firm, called Contreras-Sweet Enterprises, and Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE). HOPE’s goal is to provide political education to Hispanic women so they can improve their communities, leading to the betterment of all.