From MHS Student to Hershey Chair: Maria Kraus's Remarkable Journey

HERSHEY, Pa. – April 27, 2026 – Milton Hershey School (MHS) has named Maria Trinh Kraus, a member of the Class of 1989, as its 2026 Alumna of the Year. The award, the highest honor the school bestows upon a graduate, recognizes a life of extraordinary professional achievement, influential leadership, and profound service to the institution that provided her a foundation in a time of need.

Kraus, the Chief Financial Officer of Wedgewood Pharmacy and a history-making leader within the Hershey ecosystem, stands as a powerful testament to the vision of founders Milton and Catherine Hershey. Her journey from a young girl facing adversity to a leader stewarding the interconnected Hershey entities embodies the school's mission to transform lives through opportunity.

"Maria embodies the very best of Milton Hershey School," said MHS President Peter G. Gurt '85. "Her life reflects the vision of our founders in the most powerful way—a student whose circumstances were transformed by opportunity and who now dedicates her leadership to creating that same opportunity for others."

A Journey Forged by Opportunity

Maria Trinh Kraus's story is inextricably linked with the promise of the Milton Hershey School. She arrived on the Hershey, Pennsylvania, campus at the age of 10, grappling with the recent loss of her mother and an uncertain future. At MHS, she found more than just an education; she discovered a stable, structured, and nurturing community that allowed her to heal and thrive.

The school's holistic environment provided the support she needed to excel. Immersed in a world designed to foster academic and personal growth, Kraus flourished, culminating in her graduation as valedictorian of the Class of 1989. This achievement was not just an academic milestone but the cornerstone of a future she could not have envisioned years earlier. The experience instilled in her a deep sense of gratitude and purpose that has guided her ever since.

"It truly is an honor to give back to a school that changed my life," Kraus stated, reflecting on her past. "I wouldn't be where I am today without Milton Hershey School."

A Distinguished Career in Leadership

Building on the foundation laid at MHS, Kraus pursued higher education at Pennsylvania State University, earning a B.S. in Accounting and becoming a Certified Public Accountant. She then embarked on a distinguished career in finance and corporate strategy spanning more than 25 years.

Her professional trajectory includes foundational experience as a Senior Associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, followed by increasingly senior leadership roles. She served as Executive Vice President of Corporate Development & Strategy at Bioclinica and later as CFO of Accelerated Enrollment Solutions, a business unit of Pharmaceutical Product Development LLC. Since June 2021, she has served as the Chief Financial Officer of Wedgewood Pharmacy, where her strategic financial expertise is highly valued. Her deep experience has established her as a nationally respected business leader and a financial expert by the standards of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Architect of a Connected Legacy

Kraus's influence extends far beyond the corporate boardroom and into the very heart of the Hershey legacy. Since 2018, she has taken on pivotal governance roles across the interconnected web of entities founded by Milton S. Hershey. Her service includes positions on the boards of the Milton Hershey School, the Hershey Trust Company, The Hershey Company, and The M.S. Hershey Foundation.

In a historic milestone, Kraus became the first female graduate of Milton Hershey School to chair the boards of MHS, the Hershey Trust Company, and The Hershey Company. She assumed the chairmanship of the MHS and Hershey Trust Company boards in January 2024 and was appointed to chair The Hershey Company's board in August 2025. This unique concentration of leadership places her at the strategic nexus of the entire Hershey ecosystem, overseeing the philanthropic trust that funds the school and the iconic public company that fuels its endowment.

The Hershey Trust Company, which manages the school's multi-billion-dollar endowment, holds a controlling interest in The Hershey Company. This structure ensures that the success of the chocolate-maker directly benefits the students of MHS. Kraus's leadership across these organizations provides a unified vision, ensuring that all parts of the ecosystem work in concert to uphold and expand Milton Hershey's philanthropic mission.

Championing the Next Generation

Despite her extensive list of accomplishments, Kraus remains resolutely focused on her core purpose: strengthening the institution that shaped her. Her leadership has been instrumental in expanding career-focused educational opportunities for current MHS students. She has championed the growth of internships, mentorship programs, and strategic partnerships that provide students with real-world experience and prepare them for success after graduation.

Her vision emphasizes collaboration, bringing together the resources of the school, the trust, and the corporation to create a more powerful and supportive network for students and alumni. This work is driven by a humble desire to perpetuate the cycle of opportunity.

"I just want to do good," Kraus said. "To make sure the Milton Hershey School Trust lives in perpetuity to serve as many students as possible... What matters most is making sure we're building something strong enough to serve even more students in the future."

This sentiment underscores her approach to the Alumna of the Year award, an honor established in 1954 to recognize graduates for distinguished careers and exemplary service. "Getting Alumna of the Year is not something I sought," she added. "If it's a result of work that impacts lives, then I'm honored."

The MHS Blueprint for Success

Maria Trinh Kraus's journey is the quintessential example of the Milton Hershey School's unique and impactful educational model. The school provides a cost-free, private, residential education to more than 2,100 students from low-income backgrounds across the United States. Funded by an endowment valued at over $17 billion, MHS employs a "whole child approach," providing not only a top-tier academic curriculum but also the stable home life, medical care, and social-emotional support students need to thrive.

Students live in group homes with dedicated houseparents, creating a family-like environment that fosters stability and personal growth. The school's mission, unchanged since its founding in 1909, is to break the cycle of poverty by equipping students with the skills and character to lead fulfilling and productive lives. The high percentage of graduates who pursue post-secondary education, supported by MHS scholarships, is a testament to the model's success.

Kraus’s path—from a young student navigating loss to a leader shaping the future of one of the nation's most significant philanthropic institutions—serves as a compelling reminder of what is possible when determination meets opportunity. Her leadership ensures that the legacy of Milton and Catherine Hershey will not only endure but grow stronger for generations to come.