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It’s a quiet kind of excitement, the kind that builds for months before you finally get to say it out loud. We’ve been holding onto this news since last August, working through a careful, methodical search to find a leader who could match the scale of what’s ahead for Esperanza United, and we’re thrilled to finally share it: please join us in welcoming Mario Franco as our new chief operations and finance officer.
“We were detailed and methodical in our assessment to make sure all the skills, expertise, and judgment lined up with what we need from a leader in this role,” said Vivian Huelgo, president and CEO of Esperanza United. “Mario starts on July 1 and will be based in Southern California. We are thrilled.”
Mario brings more than 20 years of experience leading complex, multi-sector organizations through operational growth, financial optimization, and enterprise-wide change. His career spans nonprofit, healthcare, government, military, and corporate environments, where he’s served as chief operating officer, chief financial officer, chief program officer, controller, and senior advisor. He’s known for strengthening organizational performance, scaling systems, and building high-impact teams that deliver results tied directly to mission.
Vivian met with Mario during her last visit to Minnesota, and he also spent time with staff groups and board members, getting to know the people and the work he’ll soon be part of.
“Mario is thoughtful, curious, and connected to family and community,” Huelgo said. “We are very much looking forward to working with him.”
You can read more about Mario’s background and experience in his full bio, included below. Bienvenido Mario!
About Mario Franco, PMP, CDFM, COR
Mario Franco is a transformational C-suite executive with more than 20 years of experience leading complex, multi-sector organizations through operational growth, financial optimization, and enterprise-wide change. He is recognized for strengthening organizational performance, scaling systems, and building high-impact teams that deliver measurable, mission-aligned results.
Franco’s career spans nonprofit, healthcare, government, military, and corporate environments, where he has served as chief operating officer, chief financial officer, chief program officer, controller, and senior advisor across diverse operational landscapes. His leadership portfolio includes enterprise operations, financial management, program oversight, procurement and contracting, M&A readiness, organizational development, and large-scale transformation initiatives.
He has directed programs and initiatives exceeding $100 billion in economic, operational, and educational impact, both domestically and internationally. His work includes leading multi-million-dollar budgets, overseeing complex social service and health care operational systems, driving enterprise innovation, and guiding organizations through restructuring, growth, and modernization.
A seasoned public speaker and thought leader, Franco has presented across the U.S. and abroad on strategic planning, operational excellence, fiscal accountability, leadership development, workforce engagement, and cross-sector collaboration. He also served 20 years in the United States Marine Corps, where he held roles as commanding and executive officer, finance officer, legal administrator, and program manager.
Franco is an alumnus of the Stanford Graduate School of Business (corporate innovation) and Harvard Business School (leading with finance), and holds advanced certifications in project management, contracting, accounting, generative AI for business leaders, and financial management. He is an active member of leading professional associations, including the Institute of Management Accountants, SHRM, ASMC, ACHE, HFMA, and veteran service organizations.
He is known for his ability to align strategy with execution, foster collaborative and inclusive cultures, and drive organizations toward long-term sustainability, operational excellence, and mission impact.