VOTE411 Voter Guide

With 25+ years in education, training, and community advancement, I bring leadership in regional planning, program development, and resilience. My work focuses on improving quality of life in New Mexico through education, public health, and sustainable economic development. I’ve served as an academic dean, project coordinator, team leader, regulatory manager, and educator, managing academic, state, and federal programs. My environmental health experience includes emergency response roles during the Cerro Grande Fire and Hurricane Katrina, and hazard mitigation at Los Alamos. I hold a Ph.D. in Health Education, an MPH, and advanced training in risk communication, and remain committed to community-based, sustainable solutions.

Santa Fe County faces interconnected challenges: affordable housing and rising wildfire and flood risk. With experience in hazard mitigation, program development, and regional planning, I take a coordinated, practical, community-centered approach. I will advance workforce housing by aligning partners, leveraging funding, and moving projects to completion. At the same time, I will guide growth away from high-risk areas and invest in mitigation, including defensible space, watershed restoration, and flood control. Clear communication and collaboration are essential. By combining smart investment, planning, and engagement, I will help ensure Santa Fe County remains affordable, safe, and resilient.

Balancing growth and overdevelopment in Santa Fe County starts with one principle: growth must follow water. Every development decision is a water decision. I will require verified, long-term water supply using the best data and climate projections. I support exploring an independent unified water authority to align planning and policy. Growth should focus where infrastructure exists, with an emphasis on infill over expansion into uncertain areas. Development must include conservation measures and support watershed protection. By improving transparency and public engagement, we can ensure growth reflects both community values and water limits.

Preparing for disasters like wildfires and floods requires planning, coordination, and trust. With experience in hazard mitigation, program development and regional planning, I take a proactive approach. I will work to align emergency management, land use, and investment to reduce risk, not just respond. I bring expertise in managing public funds and leveraging state and federal resources for mitigation, including forest thinning, watershed restoration, and infrastructure. Using data and local knowledge, I will guide smarter decisions. As an educator, I prioritize clear communication and preparedness. Through collaboration, we can strengthen resilience, improve response, and support recovery.