Maria Antonieta Cruz Villalpando
Maria Antonieta Cruz Villalpando is a Client Success Manager at QoreAI, where she works at the intersection of automotive retail, data intelligence, and AI-driven transformation. Based in Holland, Michigan, she specializes in helping dealerships and automotive organizations turn fragmented systems—such as CRMs, DMS platforms, websites, and service tools—into a unified, actionable data ecosystem. With a strong background in strategic account leadership and digital marketing, she focuses on improving performance across sales, service, and marketing by transforming disconnected data into measurable revenue outcomes.
With more than two decades of experience in technology and automotive-focused roles, Maria has built a career centered on customer success, digital strategy, and operational excellence. Her previous roles include long-term experience in marketing account management and implementation leadership within the automotive software and data space. She is also pursuing advanced education in organizational and nonprofit management, further strengthening her ability to lead complex initiatives that bridge business strategy with human-centered execution.
Beyond her corporate work, Maria is a bilingual English/Spanish communicator, speaker, and community advocate who is passionate about leadership, equity, and mentorship. She shares insights through her newsletter “AI From My Desk to Yours,” where she breaks down AI, data strategy, and modern customer operations for practical use in fast-moving industries. Deeply involved in professional and cultural organizations, she is committed to servant leadership, empowering others, and helping underrepresented voices thrive in technology and business spaces.
• Microsoft Copilot: The Art of Prompt Writing
• Learning Microsoft 365 Copilot for Work
• Building AI Skills with Microsoft Copilot Lab
• Project Management Skills for Leaders
• How to Build a Secret Circle of Mentors
• The University of Arizona Global Campus - MBA
• 1991 Latin American Queen
• West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Leadership Summit
• ¡Hola! ERG
• ¡Hola! Employee Resource Group (ERG)
• Project Management Institution
• Holland Community Hospital
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my mother, Guadalupe, whose compassion, humility, and service to others shaped my values and continue to guide my life. She was a Certified Nursing Assistant who deeply impacted everyone she cared for, and hearing stories of her kindness after her passing only reinforced the legacy I strive to honor. I also draw strength from my own story of survival, being born prematurely at six months and defying early expectations, which instilled in me a strong sense of purpose. Together, my mother’s example and my belief in living with intention keep me grounded, resilient, and focused on using my life meaningfully for my family and others.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to prioritize networking—consistently and intentionally. Building connections not only opens doors to opportunities aligned with your goals, but also exposes you to different perspectives that may inspire new directions in your career. It’s important to put yourself out there, engage with others, and seek out mentors who can guide and challenge you. Strong networks are often the foundation for both professional growth and long-term success.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest opportunities in my field right now is the development of AI-driven models that can aggregate and unify data across multiple platforms, particularly in automotive retail. This creates the potential for dealerships to truly own and control their data, rather than relying on fragmented or third-party systems. By leveraging these capabilities, we can enable more practical and impactful AI applications that improve decision-making, customer experience, and operational efficiency across the industry.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
What I value most in my work and personal life is helping others succeed and fostering genuine connection. Empathy guides how I show up in everything I do, and I often ground myself by asking whether I’m aligned with my “true north” and purpose. I’m also deeply committed to servant leadership—using what I know to uplift others, mentor where I can, and stay involved in my community to support the next generation.
Locations
QoreAI
Holland, MI 49423