On January 15, 2014, she was nominated by President Barack Obama to join his Cabinet as head of the Small Business Administration.

Maria Contreras-Sweet recruited such notable co-organizers as Henry Cisneros, Edward P. Roski, Alex Chaves, and Solomon Trujillo.

ProAmérica Bank's client base includes some of California's most important corporations, foundations, non-profits, and small businesses.

Contreras-Sweet first experienced public service as a secretary for Leo T. McCarthy when he was the Speaker of the California State Assembly.

Recognized for her growing know-how and ambition, California Senator Joseph B. Montoya appointed Contreras-Sweet as field deputy where she engaged in constituency affairs, legislative analysis, and public policy proposals.

During her 5-year term, Contreras-Sweet was the longest serving BTHA secretary, overseeing 44,000 employees, a $14 billion budget, and 14 state departments.

Her projects included: On January 15, 2014, she was nominated by President Barack Obama to join his Cabinet as head of the Small Business Administration.

[7] President Obama's first Administrator, Karen Mills, left the position the previous September, and Jeanne Hulit ran the agency in the interim.

HOPE celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2009 with a special banquet and video presentation that featured Contreras-Sweet sharing the progress the organization has made through the years.

During her period of service, the University consulted the Board in their selection of Drew Faust, Harvard's first female president.

She serves on PepsiCo's Ethnic Advisory Board, which executives turn to for consulting on marketing, employment, health, environment, and procurement opportunities.