Terri Tewart, MSN, RN, serves as the Academic Dean of the School of Sciences, Health, Engineering, and Math at Santa Fe Community College. Prior to her current role, she led the college’s Nursing Education and Allied Health Department. Terri is passionate about healthcare education and serves on the NM Nursing Education Consortium Leadership Council, NM Nursing Education Consortium Diversity Committee, Nursing Education Advisory Committee, and the Special Olympics. Terri and her family are deeply rooted in New Mexico, and she is thankful for its natural beauty and community.

Robert Apodaca is the Principal Owner of RMA Advisory Group, a consulting firm supporting entities in all sectors with legislative, environmental, health, community and economic development initiatives. His board experience includes the Good Neighbor Environmental Board, National Congress of American Indians, New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority, Community in Schools (Santa Fe), and the Native American Budget and Policy Institute. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from New Mexico State University and is deeply committed to serving New Mexico.

Chris Chavez serves as the Economic Development Manager for the City of Albuquerque. A lifelong New Mexican, he brings extensive experience in economic development, local government, public policy, and nonprofit engagement. Chris holds a Bachelor Degree in Public Health Education and an MBA from the University of New Mexico. Chris served eight years as a combat medic in the U.S. Army Reserves and then as an AmeriCorps VISTA, promoting adult basic literacy and ESL initiatives. Christopher is also a proud father of two teenagers and enjoys outdoor activities such as running, hiking, yoga, and meditation.

Steve Gaber, a Chicago native, founded and served as CEO of the Investment Counseling division at Mesirow Financial, where he worked from 1972 until his retirement in 1996. He currently serves as President of the Doris Goodwin Walbridge Foundation and was the Treasurer of the Santa Fe Community Foundation from 2003 to 2008. In 2019 Steve was awarded the Santa Fe Community Foundation’s Pinon Award for Philanthropic Leadership. Steve holds a Bachelor of Science and an MBA from the University of California-Berkeley.

Jeff Szabat is the Senior Vice President and Director of Private Banking at Century Bank. Before joining Century Bank in 2002, Jeff worked for Bank of America and its predecessors for 18 years. Passionate about giving back, Jeff has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, Santa Fe Plaza Painting, Santa Fe Community College Foundation (President), the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce (Chair), The Food Depot (President), and the Santa Fe American Little League (President). He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Pennsylvania State University and enjoys gardening, biking, birding, and cheering for Pittsburgh sports teams.

Ophelia Hudson, originally from Gallup, serves as the Northwest Area Health Promotion Manager at the Department of Health where she oversees health initiatives in three counties, including McKinley County. With extensive expertise in community programs, health councils, coalition building, and community health improvement efforts, Ophelia is dedicated to enhancing the wellbeing of New Mexico by fostering partnerships and health promotion strategies at the community level.

Ramona Martinez, JD, is General Counsel for the New Mexico State Audit Department. Previously, she owned the Law Office of Martinez-Salopek practicing criminal defense, civil, contract, and family law. Ramona grew up in rural Tierra Amarilla and earned a Juris Doctor from the University of New Mexico School of Law. She has held leadership roles with the NM Border Authority, the NM Sentencing Commission, and the NM Hispanic Bar Association. In 2022, Ramona was recognized with the Contract Defender Award highlighting her significant impact in defending those in need.

Veronica D. Treas currently serves as Director of the Mescalero Community Health Representatives (CHR) Program. The program advocates for culturally appropriate health care services and health promotion/disease prevention services within the Mescalero Apache Tribe. Holding a Master’s degree with Distinction in Nursing Administration from the University of Oklahoma and brings extensive clinical knowledge and technical abilities both on and off the reservation. Veronica’s dedication to training, education, advocacy, and overall health promotion aligns with Con Alma Health Foundation’s mission to advance health equity.

Dr. Larchinee Turner serves as the Dean of Workforce Training and Professional Studies at New Mexico Junior College in Hobbs, New Mexico overseeing the management and development of the short-term, skills-based training programs that prepare the local and regional workforce. Larchinee is passionate in helping others reach their goals and actively serves on the City of Hobbs Planning Board, the Child and Family Services of Lea County board of directors, the NAACP – Hobbs Branch, and as a youth facilitator in soft skills development for The Justice House. Larchinee obtained her Doctorate in Education at the University of South Carolina – Columbia and enjoys crafting, exploring the area, spending time with her pets and her daughter Mya.

Linda, raised in the rural community of Los Brazos, has gained valuable insight living and working within a tapestry of small communities spanning New Mexico and Arizona. Her experience includes living on the Navajo Nation in northwestern New Mexico and the White Mountain Apache Reservation in Cibecue, Arizona.

At the heart of Linda’s commitment lies a profound focus on fostering robust connections and implementing impactful strategies to address health inequities. Having grown up in rural Northern New Mexico, she intimately understands the health disparities that challenge these communities, often impeding the pursuit of healthy and prosperous lives. As the Executive Director, Linda passionately advocates for and champions the most vulnerable populations in the state.

Linda firmly believes in a holistic approach to health that embraces the interconnected realms of mind, body, and spirit. Her moments of solace are found in the expansive landscapes of the Guadalupe Mountains, where she immerses herself in hiking to clear her mind, relishing the stillness of the crisp air, and encountering occasional small wildlife along the way. Her love for baking extends to sharing the goodness with family, friends, and neighbors. However, her greatest joy comes from witnessing the healthy successes of her three children.

Dennis provides coordination and leadership for Con Alma’s program work. He assists our applicants, grant recipients, and partners, and supports the Foundation’s communications, and grant portal processes. As a first-generation college graduate, Dennis identifies with many of the communities Con Alma supports. He likes to learn about the incredible work grantees and partners do across New Mexico and looks for opportunities to help spread their messages. He focuses on his health by walking daily, and eating as fresh and local as possible. Both at Con Alma and personally, he loves learning new things and has numerous interests, including reading, drawing, writing, and movement. Dennis is a fan of road trips, where he can revel in our state’s abundant open spaces, and rich cultural diversity. He holds a bachelor’s and master’s in Social Work, and an associate’s in Human Services, areas of study that foster an ethic of life long learning and service to our communities and people.

Cecile has worked part-time for Con Alma since 2008 managing the foundation’s external and internal information systems and grants data base. Being Information Manager is a little like being an inventory manager or an interior designer – a lot of her success depends on putting things people will need where they will look for them first, or maybe second. Cecile chooses to work at Con Alma because she likes what the Foundation does; she has a great community of colleagues, volunteers, and grantees to work with; and she loves helping people use Con Alma’s grant making tools. To her, health is about balance – the feeling that each part of being alive has the right level of importance, attention, and well-being.

Amy is a key part of Con Alma’s management team and is responsible for operations, budget oversight and project management. Before joining Con Alma in 2006, she gained experience in various fields, including social work for a long-term care facility, research at Binghamton University, and legal advocacy for a domestic violence organization. She stays healthy by eating NM grown vegetables and fruits, soaking in sunny days, and squeezing in moments of stillness and quiet in her busy life. She loves cooking, baking, and traveling with her family as well as watching her garden shift and grow through the beautiful seasons here. She enjoys working for an organization that values community-led solutions and the diverse cultures of New Mexico’s people. Amy likes hiking through our state’s varying landscapes, and has a special appreciation for the dry air, mountains and rivers. She holds a bachelor’s in psychology from Binghamton University and a master’s in Accounting from the University of New Mexico.