Former HCCW Executive Director Maria Monreal-Cameron Passed Away

The late Monreal-Cameron led the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin for 24 years.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

January 18, 2021

Milwaukee, WI - On Monday, Maria Monreal-Cameron, 75, the former CEO and executive director of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin passed away after losing her battle with leukemia in the last seven months, according to family. 

Monreal-Cameron became the director of the HCCW in 1989 and retired in September 2013. She helped create the Philip Arreola Scholarship Fund and has awarded over $450,000 in scholarships and has more than 665 chamber members. She oversaw the $2.1 million construction of the HCCW headquarters at the 1000 block of W. National Ave.

The HCCW was incorporated as a non-profit business in 1972 and in 2005 the chamber only had three staff members. That same year, under Monreal-Cameron's leadership she was able to bring the 26th Annual United State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Convention and Business Expo to Milwaukee. 

In 2005, the HCCW netted $1.4 million in event funds breaking any prior event fund raising in its history.

Monreal-Cameron was well know for her involvement in the Mark Belling and Clear Channel controversy in 2004.

In October 27, 2004, radio host Mark Belling made a racial and derogatory slur calling Latino community voters "Wetbacks" for potential voter fraud. He was suspended for about a week from his Clear Channel, Inc. WISN radio program after the Latino community protested. Monreal-Cameron from the HCCW and other members of the community represented some of the protesters and Monreal-Cameron was able to get Clear Channel to provide a radio spot for Perfecto Rivera, a member of the HCCW and also give a donation to their conference and billboard advertising too. 

Many members of the community realized that Belling could have been forced to get fired, but the HCCW received credit for neutralizing the protests.