La Casa de Esperanza Staff Listing
Amy Orta
Early Head Start & Early Childhood Education Director
Amy Orta, La Casa de Esperanza- Waukesha recently hired as the Early Childhood Education and Early Head Start Director was the former executive director of the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center. She was the first Latinx and person of color to be appointed to the position in the Center’s 22-year history. Her accomplishments in such a short time include but limited to; expansion of staff capacity through increased funding, successful annual gala, community engagement, unrestricted funding, acquiring a new location/center and overall earning respect and trust from the center participants and the MKE LGBT Community in Wisconsin. She holds an undergrad degree in Bachelor of Science, Human Services with a minor in Psychology and was a practicing licensed Social Worker for 13 years, she also has a master’s degree with a concentration in Non-Profit Management Leadership and Organization. Previously she was a fixture at Centro Hispano with 23 years dedicated, rising from social worker to becoming an integral part in the Early Head Start/Head Start program. She worked in the various roles from Family Support Specialist, Parent Engagement Coordinator to Associate Director of operations and special projects. Her passion for social justice is well known in the Milwaukee County area and throughout other States. Amy leads with heart and perseverance to serve and work with the community. A fun fact is that Amy has a love for animals, especially her 4-legged fur baby, Bella Marie.
Ailec González
Chief Administrative and Finance Officer
Ailec González is the Vice President of Finance for La Casa de Esperanza. With fourteen years of experience in the nonprofit sector and 21 years of accounting experience, Ailec’s primary responsibility as VP of Finance is the overall financial and administrative management of $16 million annual budget of the organization.
Mary Hamkins
Senior Accountant/Internal Auditor
Mary is responsible for keeping and verifying accurate records and for performing a variety of accounting and other financial functions. Mary has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Dayton and also has her CPA license. She is a senior Accountant and Internal Auditor for La Casa De Esperanza.
Patrick Larkin
Vice President of Weatherization
Patrick has over 15 years’ experience in the energy efficiency industry. All 15 years have been dedicated at non-profit and government agencies, most recently working as a Lead Program and Policy Analyst for the Department of Administration – Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources. Patrick began his career in the field completing weatherization work and his position responsibilities during that time have included conducting energy audits, state weatherization trainings, technical assistance, quality assurance, utility management, Department of Energy evaluations, and presenting at national conferences. He has contributed to energy efficiency programs and weatherization studies in Missouri, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
Cindy Retzack
Director of Operations
Cindy has been managing Apartments for over 26 years. She and her husband were the Resident Managers in a complex of over 100 units in Menomonee Falls for over 6 ½ years & they also were the Resident Managers in another complex in the Town of Brookfield of 128 units for 6 ½ years.
Pascual Rodriguez
Executive Principal
Pascual Rodriguez joined La Casa de Esperanza Charter School on August 9, 2021 and will oversee the day-in-and-day operational of the school.
Pascual brings with him over 25 years of educational experience, of which 19 of them were as a principal for one of Milwaukee’s top Independent Charters Schools, Bruce Guadalupe Community School. Through his tenure as principal, Pascual was instrumental in establishing an environment where parents/families felt welcomed and empowered to use their voice, time and energy to support a level of high quality teaching, accountability, and caring atmosphere. As a native resident of Milwaukee, Pascual understands the dynamics of the educational landscape, while appreciating the diversity in the importance of all three sectors: public, public charter and private settings.
In 1990, Pascual was guided by a strong conviction to ensure students were given every opportunity to succeed academically, by instilling in them the belief that circumstances do not dictate their future, rather choices. Over the years, Pascual has not only served as a principal, but most importantly, serves as a mentor to students and teachers alike.
In 1998, Pascual graduated from Marquette University, and in 2000 from National-Louis University with his M.S in Educational Leadership. Married to his wife of 30 years, and proud father of four children.  .
Gina Sanchez
Director of Center for Financial Stability
Gina M. Sanchez Juarez started at La Casa de Esperanza in 2008 and headed the Financial Stability Initiative of United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County. She holds 6 certifications by NeighborWorks America’s Center for Homeownership Education and Counseling in the areas of; Financial Capability, Pre-Purchase Homeownership Education, Post-Purchase Homeownership Education, Homeownership Counseling, Foreclosure Intervention, Default Counseling, Homeownership Education, Counseling for Program Managers and Executive Directors. She is also an Advanced IRS Certified Tax Preparer, State of WI Licensed Title Examiner and Notary. Gina serves as a Commissioner for the Waukesha Housing Authority and has served on many boards and councils that focus on serving the needs of hardworking families and individuals in the Greater Milwaukee Area.
She has been awarded; 2009 UMOS Hispanic Woman of the Year, 2009 Prevent Child Abuse of America Award, Parents Place Award of Waukesha for work in strengthening families, a Congressional Award and received a City of Waukesha proclamation for “Gina Sanchez Day”.
Maria del Pilar Wadina
Chief Growth Officer
Maria joined the team of La Casa in October of 2020. Having served on the Board of Directors of La Casa for the last four years made this new role a natural transition. Her passion for the work that La Casa does for the Waukesha community is evident. Being an immigrant herself, she relates to many of the hardships that people in our community face every day. Maria continues to serve as Chair of the La Casa Charter School Education Committee. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Alverno College.
