Leadership New Mexico

Leadership New Mexico Leadership New Mexico was founded in 1995 to identify current and emerging leaders throughout NM.

Leadership New Mexico was founded in 1995 to identify current and emerging leaders throughout New Mexico, enhance their leadership skills and deepen their knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing our state. Leadership New Mexico is dedicated to the development of informed leaders that understand issues, define problems, develop solutions and achieve positions of higher responsibility i

n New Mexico. Leadership New Mexico is nonpartisan, does not advocate for legislation of any kind, does not endorse political candidates and does not take a stand on any political or social issues. Leadership New Mexico educates participants - leaders from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors about statewide and regional issues. Leadership New Mexico is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3), tax-exempt New Mexico organization. It is funded by the generous contributions of corporations, foundations and individual donors.

🎓 Core Class of 2026 Graduate SpotlightToday, we're proud to celebrate Mara Jordan, Chief of Protocol at the 377th Air B...
08/20/2026

🎓 Core Class of 2026 Graduate Spotlight

Today, we're proud to celebrate Mara Jordan, Chief of Protocol at the 377th Air Base Wing, Kirtland Air Force Base, as a graduate of Leadership New Mexico's Core Class of 2026!

Throughout her career with the United States Air Force and Department of War, Mara has taken on leadership roles at every level. In her current role, she serves as the focal point for protocol matters supporting the host wing, installation command staff, mission partners, and Team Kirtland.

Mara has supported and coordinated a remarkable range of military events and distinguished visits, including engagements involving senior military and government leaders. She has also helped plan major Air Force events, USO and Armed Forces Entertainment tours, installation celebrations, and quality of life support for military families. Her best practices have been used in Air Force events and instructional courses, and she serves as adjunct faculty for the Protocol Fundamentals Course.

Mara's leadership and expertise have been recognized through multiple Air Force awards, including USAFE A1 Flight Chief of the Year in 2016. She has also contributed to Air Force-wide efforts focused on revitalizing Air Force squadrons, identifying improvements, and sharing best practices.

Mara, congratulations on graduating from the Leadership New Mexico Core Program! Thank you for your dedication to our country, our state, leadership, service, and excellence throughout your career. We are honored to welcome you into our growing network of Core alumni and celebrate the experience and perspective you bring to New Mexico.

🚨 NORTHERN NEW MEXICO, THIS ONE IS SPECIAL! 🚨Leadership New Mexico is bringing our community together for an evening of ...
08/19/2026

🚨 NORTHERN NEW MEXICO, THIS ONE IS SPECIAL! 🚨

Leadership New Mexico is bringing our community together for an evening of connection, conversation, and leadership. We’re excited to welcome special invited guests Gregg Hull (Core Class of 2023) and Deb Haaland (Core Class of 2014), candidates for Governor of New Mexico.

Join us for the Northern New Mexico Community Reception!

📅 Wednesday, September 2, 2026
⏰ 5:30–7:00 PM
📍 Modern Elder Academy’s Rising Circle Ranch - Lamy, New Mexico

This reception is a chance for LNM alumni, friends, and members of the Santa Fe-area community to connect, build relationships, and engage with leaders shaping the future of our state.

Registration is complimentary but required. Detailed directions to Rising Circle Ranch will be sent to everyone who registers, including a map to help you navigate to the property.

📍 Santa Fe-area LNM alumni and friends: we’d love to see you there.

👉 Register now:
https://business.leadershipnm.org/ap/Events/Register/QZFlgZktdCnC0

🎓 Core Class of 2026 Graduate SpotlightToday, we're proud to celebrate Leigh Ana Shaw, Deputy Director of the Integrated...
08/19/2026

🎓 Core Class of 2026 Graduate Spotlight

Today, we're proud to celebrate Leigh Ana Shaw, Deputy Director of the Integrated Resilience Optimization Network at the 27th Special Operations Wing, Cannon Air Force Base, as a graduate of Leadership New Mexico's Core Class of 2026!

Leigh Ana's career has centered on supporting people, strengthening communities, and creating meaningful change. In her current role, she develops and promotes initiatives focused on five domains of human capital: psychological, spiritual, physical, cognitive, and social/family performance. She works to connect Airmen and their families with resources while building resilience, collaboration, and inclusion across Cannon Air Force Base.

Before joining the IRON team, Leigh Ana served for nine years as Director of Arise Sexual Assault Services and Child Advocacy Center in Portales. There, she led programs supporting survivors of sexual assault and child maltreatment across eastern New Mexico, including expanding access to services for rural communities across 20,000 square miles. She also built strong relationships with law enforcement and District Attorneys to improve the criminal justice response to survivors.

Leigh Ana's commitment to advocacy extends to her service as a Commissioner for the Commission on the Status of Women for the state of New Mexico, a role she has held since 2020. Her passion for change, inclusion, and ensuring people have access to the support they need is evident throughout her career and service.

Leigh Ana, congratulations on graduating from the Leadership New Mexico Core Program! Thank you for your dedication to advocacy, inclusion, resilience, and the people and communities you serve. We are honored to welcome you into our growing network of Core alumni and look forward to the continued impact you'll make across New Mexico.

Yesterday, our Leadership New Mexico team joined the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce’s annual golf tournament at Santa Fe C...
08/18/2026

Yesterday, our Leadership New Mexico team joined the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce’s annual golf tournament at Santa Fe Country Club, where we were set up as a vendor at Hole 8!

It was a great opportunity to catch up with LNM alumni, meet new people, and connect with even more members of our New Mexico community.

We love getting out into the community and seeing so many familiar faces along the way. Thanks to the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce for having us!

After an incredibly competitive selection process, 42 outstanding New Mexico leaders have been selected for the Leadersh...
08/17/2026

After an incredibly competitive selection process, 42 outstanding New Mexico leaders have been selected for the Leadership New Mexico Core Class of 2027! 🎉

This incredible group brings diverse experiences, perspectives, industries, and expertise from across our state. Over the next 10 months, they’ll explore the issues shaping New Mexico, challenge one another, build meaningful relationships, and grow as leaders.

Please join us in welcoming our newest Core class:

Dr. Sylvia Acosta | NMSU Foundation
Dr. Andres Arreola | Arreola Chiropractic Inc.
Angie Barrios-Testa | City of Carlsbad
Maxwell Blair | ConocoPhillips
Dr. Allen Bottorff | New Mexico State University
Trent Carter | Renew Health
Jeanette Contreras | NM Society of CPAs
Sarah Daniels | Children's Adventure Company
Megan DeLaRosa | Kirtland Partnership Committee
Bridget Dixson | Santa Fe Chamber
Dora Dominguez | Sandoval County
Dr. Matt Domonkos | Verus Research
Karen Easton | Century Bank
Dr. Julianna Fessenden | LANL/Tirad National Security
Melissa Forest | Urenco USA
Elaine Gard | Cannon Air Force Base
Dr. Donald Godwin | UNM College of Pharmacy
Wes Gray | PNM
Jennifer Hayden | National Museum of Nuclear Science & History
John Henninger | CliftonLarsonAllen
Junior Hernandez | Legendary Services
Frank Holloway | Hollow Spirits
Diana Jaramillo | New Mexico Gas Company
Lindsey Kay | WESST
Meghan Kirkle | Presbyterian Medical Services
April Kovari | Fidelity National Title
Jason Lazich | Virgin Galactic
Rick Letscher | Jaynes Corporation
Deana Lopez | Alvarado Administration Company
Donna Lopez | U.S. Bank
Kelly Marquez | Santa Fe Community College
Richard Martin | Martin Boot Company
Charlene Rimbert | SEGRA
Tiffany Rivera | Devon Energy
Rafael Rovirosa | Stahmanns Inc.
Kris Rudd | TriCore Reference Laboratories
Matthias Sayer | Bradfute Sayer Consulting
Daniel Sinars | Sandia National Laboratories
Richard Stump | Self-Employed
Dr. Ryan Trosper | ENMU Ruidoso
Sandy Trujillo-Medina | Youth Development, Inc.
Tammy Waters | Town & Country Real Estate

We can’t wait to welcome this incredible group to Leadership New Mexico and see where this journey takes them! 💙

🎓 Core Class of 2026 Graduate SpotlightToday, we're proud to celebrate Nicole Abreu, Vice President of Sales at Ardham T...
08/16/2026

🎓 Core Class of 2026 Graduate Spotlight

Today, we're proud to celebrate Nicole Abreu, Vice President of Sales at Ardham Technologies, as a graduate of Leadership New Mexico's Core Class of 2026!

With more than 20 years of experience in sales, marketing, technology, and services, Nicole has built a career centered on growth, strong relationships, and innovative solutions. At Ardham Technologies, she leads business development and regional expansion across New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona, bringing a strategic mindset and client-first approach to her work.

A proud New Mexican and University of New Mexico graduate with a background in Communication, Journalism, and Marketing, Nicole is equally passionate about making a difference in her community. She serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors for the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce and as Co-Resource Development Chair for Animal Humane New Mexico. Her volunteer work also supports organizations including ALS New Mexico, Camp Enchantment, United Way of Central New Mexico, the National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation, the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, the UNM Lobo Cancer Challenge, and Junior Achievement of New Mexico.

Known for her energy, generosity, and ability to inspire others to get involved, Nicole is committed to empowering others through mentorship, community involvement, and authentic leadership. She also shares her expertise as a speaker and mentor, including featured talks focused on financial empowerment and youth development.

Nicole, congratulations on graduating from the Leadership New Mexico Core Program! Thank you for your commitment to lifting others up, strengthening our communities, and showing what it means to lead with purpose. We are honored to welcome you into our growing network of Core alumni and look forward to the continued impact you'll make across New Mexico.

🎓 Core Class of 2026 Graduate SpotlightToday, we're proud to celebrate Lacey Bruaw, Director of Operations at Los Alamos...
08/15/2026

🎓 Core Class of 2026 Graduate Spotlight

Today, we're proud to celebrate Lacey Bruaw, Director of Operations at Los Alamos National Laboratory, as a graduate of Leadership New Mexico's Core Class of 2026!

With more than 18 years of leadership experience at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Lacey has built a career focused on safe, efficient operations, strong teams, and continuous improvement. In her role as Director of Operations, she supports LANL's multifaceted missions while fostering collaboration across the organization and with external partners.

Throughout her career, Lacey has held high-impact leadership roles across LANL and N3B, successfully leading organizations, building high-performing teams, and advancing work in nuclear operations, safety management, contractor assurance, and complex budget oversight. She has also helped develop professional development programs and regularly leads operational workshops and collaboration forums.

Lacey's leadership philosophy is rooted in accountability, cross-functional collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to safe, efficient operations. She is a 2025 graduate of the LOLA program and an active participant in Leadership New Mexico.

Lacey, congratulations on graduating from the Leadership New Mexico Core Program! Thank you for your commitment to leadership, collaboration, and continuous improvement. We are honored to welcome you into our growing network of Core alumni and look forward to the continued impact you'll make across New Mexico.

One of the best parts of Leadership New Mexico is staying connected with our incredible community of leaders long after ...
08/14/2026

One of the best parts of Leadership New Mexico is staying connected with our incredible community of leaders long after they complete their program. But we can only do that if we have your most up-to-date contact information.

If something has changed, take a quick minute to let us know:

🔹 New job or career change?
🔹 Earned a promotion or new title?
🔹 New phone number?
🔹 New email address?
🔹 New organization or mailing address?
🔹 Anything else we should know?

Update your information online:
https://form.jotform.com/262245147496059

And, as always, you can reach out to the Leadership New Mexico team directly. We're always happy to hear from you!

Help us keep the LNM network connected, current, and strong. 💙

We're proud to celebrate Ekta Bhakta, Connect Class of 2019 alumna and Leadership New Mexico Board Member, on being name...
08/13/2026

We're proud to celebrate Ekta Bhakta, Connect Class of 2019 alumna and Leadership New Mexico Board Member, on being named a finalist for Citizen of the Year in the Best of Carlsbad Contest.

Through her role in community relations and charitable giving supporting the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, Ekta has helped strengthen partnerships with nonprofit organizations while supporting community and economic development initiatives throughout Southeast New Mexico.

Over the years, she has generously dedicated her time and talents to numerous organizations and leadership initiatives throughout Carlsbad and across New Mexico. She has served in a variety of volunteer and leadership capacities with local civic organizations, community boards, and Leadership New Mexico, reflecting her longstanding commitment to service and collaboration.

Ekta has also been recognized as one of Carlsbad's 40 Under 40 dynamic young leaders and has received several honors for her community leadership, including the Jack Knittel Presidential Award and Ambassador of the Year Award from the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce.

Beyond her many professional and volunteer accomplishments, those who know Ekta know that her greatest pride is her family. She is a devoted mother to Ariana and A***n, and her dedication to serving others is matched only by the love she has for her children.

Congratulations, Ekta, on this well-deserved recognition. As always, your Leadership New Mexico family is cheering you on! 💙

🎓 Core Class of 2026 Graduate SpotlightToday, we're proud to celebrate Mayra Lovas, Vice President of Grants at the JF M...
08/12/2026

🎓 Core Class of 2026 Graduate Spotlight

Today, we're proud to celebrate Mayra Lovas, Vice President of Grants at the JF Maddox Foundation, as a graduate of Leadership New Mexico's Core Class of 2026!

In her role at the JF Maddox Foundation, Mayra leads a diverse portfolio spanning education, health, social services, and leadership development. She is passionate about designing and scaling programs that center community voice, build trust based relationships, create systems change, and deliver measurable impact.

A first generation college graduate, Mayra holds three degrees from New Mexico State University: a Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management, a Master of Science in Family and Child Sciences, and a Master of Public Health. She also serves on advisory councils across New Mexico and Lea County, continuing her commitment to strengthening communities.

Most proudly, Mayra is a wife and mother of two sons, Gavin and Jace. A proud resident of Lovington and Lea County, she remains steadfast in her pursuit of building thriving communities for generations to come.

Mayra, congratulations on graduating from the Leadership New Mexico Core Program! Thank you for your commitment to community, leadership, and creating meaningful opportunities for New Mexicans. We are honored to welcome you into our growing network of Core alumni and look forward to the continued impact you'll make across our state.

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P. O. Box 35696
Albuquerque, NM
87176

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