Hugo Cardona

Hugo Cardona joined the not-for-profit world in 1992 after working throughout Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the United States for companies like Occidental Petroleum, Gulf and Western Corporation and the Argus Group. Recognized as a turnaround specialist, he has successfully helped many organizations overcome their financial challenges by putting strong teams and effective organizational structures and fiscal systems into place.

Hugo’s first foray into the nonprofit sector came when he was hired as the COO and CFO of The Hunger Project in New York. Five years later, after reducing expenses by more than 33 percent, increasing annual income by 16 percent, building a $1.4 million reserve fund and starting new projects in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, he was ready to take on his next challenge. He was elected President of SER Jobs for Progress National, based in Dallas, Texas. In three years he had reduced the deficit there by more than $1.3 million and closed his final year with a significant positive fund balance. Affiliates’ yearly income was increased by more than $34 million and expansion plans were underway in 16 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

Hugo took on two more assignments before deciding to split his days between meaningful consulting projects and travel. These were, 3 ½ years as Senior Vice President of National Council of La Raza in Washington, DC and 5 years as President and CEO of La Causa in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, his 20th turnaround. In both cases, his experience in re-engineering organizations, increasing efficiency, and improving productivity along with his impressive record in fund development, financial management and business administration allowed him to leave these organizations in strong shape. His extensive experience in implementing technological solutions, interacting with government functions, and recruiting volunteer participation also helped.

Being multi-lingual and multi-cultural has definitely been an asset not only in Hugo’s career, but his volunteer service. He has served on a number of boards and advisory councils, including Shell Oil Hispanic Advisory Board, Washington Mutual Diversity Board, Frito-Lay Hispanic Latino Advisory Board, QUEST – Institute for the Transformation of Learning, and the Helen Bader Institute for Nonprofit Management at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee.

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