Maria Lopez de la Cruz

Born in French Camp, CA and raised throughout the San Joaquin Valley, Maria Lopez de la Cruz is passionate about advancing career opportunities and creating equitable pathways for first-generation salary earners. She serves at Stockton Service Corps, a place-based initiative of the Reinvent Stockton Foundation, building hope and expanding opportunity in one of California's most dynamic and diverse cities. In this role, she oversees program operations, drives strategic direction across Cradle to Career, Climate Action, and Social Justice focus areas, and leads a team committed to creating lasting change in Stockton.With experience in recruitment, partnership development, and leadership development, she works to build programs that center the lived experiences of diverse communities. Her experience also includes collaborating with global corporations, education nonprofits, and early-stage startups to understand their mission-driven goals while implementing anti-racist hiring and retention best practices. She believes in the transformative power of inclusive workplaces and is committed to increasing diversity through retainment strategies that honor and embrace individuals from all walks of life. Maria holds a BA from CSU Stanislaus and a MA from CSU Sacramento.