Maria-Kay Chetta
Member Spotlight
Maria-Kay Chetta
Licensed New Orleans Tour Guide
Born and raised in New Orleans, Maria-Kay has dedicated her career to serving her city while sharing her love of New Orleans with visitors from around the world.
She graduated from Cabrini High School in 1973, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of New Orleans in 1978, and received her Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Loyola University in 1983.
The Chetta Family has a long history with the NOPD…her mother was the 1st Policewoman hired by a Civil Service register in N.O. In 1950, her father was a Detective, her brother was an Explosives Specialist and Hostage Negotiator and her nephew currently is a Sgt. in the 5th District. So it is no surprise that, in 1980, Maria-Kay joined the New Orleans Police Department as a Management Analyst and was assigned to the Crime Analysis Section, where she served from 1980 to 1995 and ultimately became Commander. In 1995, she was assigned to the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice Coordination (OCJC), where she managed and oversaw the distribution of millions of dollars in federal and state criminal justice and victim services grant funds to the City of New Orleans and its partner agencies. She served first as Deputy Director and later as Director. Maria-Kay retired from the City of New Orleans/NOPD in May 2018 after more than 37 years of service. She also graduated from the FBI’s Civilian FBI Academy in 2009.
So, where does hospitality fit in? For Maria-Kay, it provided a welcome respite from the difficult situations she encountered in her daily work. In 1989, she completed Delgado’s Tour Guiding Class, received her tour guide license, and began conducting tours on nights and weekends. She also joined the Tour Guide Association of Greater New Orleans International that same year and has served in various Executive Board positions. She remains an active member today.
Maria-Kay has been an active tour guide ever since, working with several DMCs throughout New Orleans. Her specialties include city tours, French Quarter walking tours, swamp and cocktail tours, culinary tours, dine-arounds, airport meet-and-greet services, transportation, and event management.
She especially enjoys everything hospitality-related and takes great pride in showing off her beloved city—with her unmistakable Yat accent!
Maria-Kay is involved with numerous New Orleans organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce, Historic New Orleans Collection, Friends of City Park, Preservation Resource Center, New Orleans Museum of Art, Friends of City Park, St. Elizabeth’s Guild, Krewe of MUSES, Contessa Entellina Society, and the Elenians. She also actively supports the Metropolitan Crime Commission, New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation, and Crimestoppers.
Her community involvement extends to WYES-TV, where she currently serves on the Community Advisory Board and is Co-Chair of this year’s Morgus Madness event. She has also served as Publicity Chairperson for St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church’s St. Joseph’s Altar for 14 years and is currently Co-President Elect of St. Catherine of Siena’s Women’s Club.
Maria-Kay reigned as Queen of the Krewe of Okeanos in 1980 and continues to embrace the traditions and celebrations that make New Orleans unique.
When she’s not working or volunteering, Maria-Kay loves hosting holiday gatherings—especially her lavish King Cake parties. She also loves to travel, with New York City among her favorite destinations, and hopes to make it to Ireland soon. For Maria-Kay, whether she’s serving her community, guiding visitors, or hosting friends and family, one thing remains constant: her love for New Orleans and the people who make it special.
She also loves being a member of MSWIT seeing old friends and meeting exciting new ones and enjoying the meeting speakers, dinners, and the camaraderie.