Marquette University alumna Griselda Aldrete, one of Madison365’s 48 most powerful Latinos in Wisconsin, leads the Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee. She also serves on more than half a dozen boards while entering her final year of law school.

Madison365: Rank your top five MCs and/or hip-hop artists. 

Griselda Aldrete: Tupac, Jay Z, John Legend, Drake, Dr. Dre.

Which motivates you more: doubters or supporters? 

Both motivate me. I think it’s important to surround yourself with people who want to see you succeed, but it is equally important to be realistic and know that not everyone will be cheering for you. There will be people looking for you to fail and being self-aware not of the individuals, but of the fact that not everyone will want to celebrate your successes is a wonderful motivator to work harder, do better, work smarter and be the best version of you, you can be. 

What does it mean to be a Latina in Milwaukee? 

Being a Latina not only in Milwaukee, but in the world, means being filled with a fire to work with passion, with an awareness of the richness that comes with a culture that is diverse, impactful, important and striving to make a difference in our community not only for the sake of Hispanics in our country, but for the sake of working towards a more inclusive, diverse environment where we all thrive and succeed. 

What three leaders in Milwaukee have impressed you the most? 

There have been many people who genuinely have impressed me during my tenure and career in Milwaukee. Too many to name just three. What I will say is that the people who continue to impress me are those who walk in integrity, genuinely care about the community and worry less about their egos and more about working to support others achieve greater levels of success for all and working towards something that is bigger than themselves. 

What’s the biggest stumbling block in Milwaukee to turning the corner on our racial disparities? 

Milwaukee continues to be stuck in talking about how segregated we are and how much race continues to affect our lives instead of working towards finding the solutions that will allow us to move forward as a united community rather than one that continues to talk about it. 

What are your top three priorities at this point in your life? 

Continue to make HPGM the regional leader in helping to groom the next wave of Hispanic leaders for our community by helping Latinos graduate from college and get them employed by our regional companies to prevent the brain drain. Finish law school in 2017. Enjoy the journey I’m in.

You are going to law school, the CEO of the Hispanic professionals of Greater Milwaukee, and serve on numerous boards. How do you find work-life balance? 

I don’t like when people talk about work-life balance. This is my life ... it’s a choice I make to be fully invested in my life and what I want to get from it. I choose to go to school to continue my educational and professional development. I choose to work for an organization that is working toward improving the lives of Hispanics across the region. I choose to serve on boards that make an impact in our city and the betterment of our communities. I choose to make time and make things I love a priority because that is what gives me joy. Working for something that is bigger than me and that will hopefully have a lasting impact for years to come.

Why do you choose to live in Milwaukee? 

Milwaukee has many great things about it. I feel like we are our own crutch when we minimize the great things this city has to offer. I choose to live in Milwaukee because I want to help build a city where we no longer have to talk about the negative things – education, poverty, segregation, racism – and begin talking on how we are going to continue to make this a world-class city.

Currently what are your 3 favorite songs?

"La Gozadera," Gente de Zona; "One Dance," Drake; and "This is What You Came For," Rihanna.

Name two things most people don’t know about you

I love to fish. I have a bucket list of lifelong goals, and I cross off at least one every year.

Where is your favorite place for vacation and why? 

Too many to name just one. I love traveling and see every new or old place visited as an opportunity for self-discovery and a new adventure. 

What drives you to succeed? 

My family, proving people wrong, personal goals and overall striving to be the best version of me while on Earth.