Maria Ontiveros Cullen’s roots run deep in the Quad Cities, a place she calls home, a community she cherishes, and a canvas where she’s painted a legacy of family, entrepreneurship, and heartfelt leadership.
Growing up in the Quad Cities, Maria describes her childhood as blessed, filled with activity, family, and friends. Her curiosity was nurtured by a family that valued lifelong learning. Her father, Chris Ontiveros, and grandfather, Robert (Bob) Ontiveros, were avid readers of business journals and current events, instilling in her a hunger for knowledge. Her mother, Pamela, provided a steady foundation of unconditional love and support that Maria credits with shaping her empathetic nature.
Traveling to cities and countries beyond her hometown offered Maria a broader perspective, enriching her worldview and influencing her approach to life and community.
Entrepreneurship is woven into Maria’s family DNA. Her grandparents, Bob and Blenda Ontiveros, founded Bi-State Packaging in 1974, now known as Group O, one of the largest Hispanic-owned companies in the United States. Her father carried on the entrepreneurial spirit with ventures like Ray’z Barber Shops and Makers and Riders clothing. Her mother opened a boutique called Charm during Maria’s high school years.
In this vibrant environment, Maria found inspiration and aspiration. Her first entrepreneurial break came through Mercado on Fifth, a community event conceived by her grandfather Bob. Since its launch in 2016, Maria has been deeply involved in growing Mercado into a beloved summer tradition that celebrates local culture, families, vendors, and community collaboration.
Family dinners remain sacred moments for Maria, a time when loved ones reconnect without distraction. Today, she maintains that tradition, meeting weekly with her parents and sisters. Her husband, Jack Cullen, stands as a pillar in her adult life, his emotional intelligence helping her grow. And her children, whom she describes as “little teachers,” have taught her invaluable lessons about slowing down and savoring life’s moments.
After college, Maria returned to the Quad Cities, met Jack, and decided to build their family here. She loves the region for its perfect balance: small enough to foster a sense of belonging and big enough to make a meaningful impact. From its family-friendly cultural amenities to warm summer events like Mercado on Fifth, the Quad Cities have become an integral part of her identity.
The community’s support has been a cornerstone of Maria’s personal and professional growth through mentors, development opportunities, and collective engagement.
Currently, Maria focuses on being a stay-at-home mother, a choice inspired by her own mother’s example and rooted in love and presence. Yet her professional pride shines brightest in Mercado on Fifth, which celebrates its 10th season in 2026. Steering a weekly summer festival comes with challenges, including rapid growth moments that tested the team’s resilience and adaptability.
For Maria, leadership is about inspiring a team toward a shared vision, a lesson learned from her grandfather Bob, who built Group O on trust and opportunity.
Beyond Mercado, Maria serves her community through various nonprofit boards and as the Rock Island trustee for MetroLINK. She also coordinates philanthropic efforts for her family and Group O, driven by a desire to help the Quad Cities evolve into a more cool, creative, connected, and prosperous region by 2030.
Maria’s advice to her younger self? That raising children is society’s most important job, worthy of respect and honor. Legacy matters deeply to her. She hopes to express gratitude through embracing opportunities, overcoming challenges, and simply being happy. When doubts arise, she encourages asking, “Why not you?”—a mantra of empowerment and courage.
Maria’s adventurous spirit is evident in her international bike tours after college, traversing mountains, deserts, and even embarking on solo journeys. At home, she treasures exploring the Quad Cities with her family, pretending to be tourists discovering playgrounds and events. Recently, she’s taken up baking sourdough bread and gardening, finding joy in these simple, grounding activities.
For Maria, success is peace and contentment, not defined by money or status, but by purpose, balance, love, and presence. It is in these internal states that true fulfillment blooms.
