Our Team
Téyo Saree Abraham
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Téyo Saree is a many-generation desert dweller, with roots in southwest New Mexico and Texas. They come to this work as a creative, graphic notetaker, facilitator, and nepantlere. More specifically, they come to this work with a deep passion for, and orientation to cultural organizing: social change work that is rooted in the liberating power of the arts, culture, and creative storytelling. They have worked in a variety of movement and political education spaces, from youth organizing, solidarity economy work, racial and immigration justice, to birthing and gender justice.
505.750.1732
teyo@newmexicowomen.org
Sarah Ghiorse
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Sarah has twenty years of experience working for social and gender justice in the non-profit and philanthropic sectors. She is committed to working for gender equity in New Mexico, and believes that the power of community is what generates lasting structural and systemic change. She holds an MA in Social and Cultural Anthropology from the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco, and BA in Women’s Studies from University of California, Santa Cruz.
505.750.1732
sarah@newmexicowomen.org
Carli Romero
PROGRAM MANAGER
Carli Romero, is a multi-generational New Mexican, with a background in community organizing and embodied feminine leadership and facilitation. She is devoted to racial and gender equity and has served local organizations from Las Cruces to Albuquerque over the last ten years. She holds an MA in Educational Leadership, from UNM, a BA in Political Science and a BA in Economics, from NMSU. Carli is also a poet, new to motherhood, and is currently working toward her certification as a Clinical EFT practitioner.
505.750.1732
carli@newmexicowomen.org
Renee Villarreal
PROGRAM CO-DIRECTOR
Renee Villarreal is a native Santa Fean and a multi-generational Nueva Mexicana. She is deeply committed to place-based community work around equity, social and economic justice, and self-determination. Renee earned a Masters in Community and Regional Planning from the University of New Mexico in 2006 and worked as a Community Planner for Santa Fe County for 7 years advocating for rural communities and supporting community-centered development. She also served as Director of Programs at New Mexico Community Foundation for over 6 years and oversaw all statewide program grantmaking and partnership building. Renee is also an elected official serving her second term as a Councilwoman for the City of Santa Fe.
505.750.1732
renee@newmexicowomen.org
Melanie Garcia
SENIOR OPERATIONS MANAGER
Melanie is native to New Mexico and comes to NewMexicoWomen.Org with 25 years of experience in accounting and operations. She has spent her non-profit career working with organizations committed to equity through arts, education, and family and youth support services across southeastern and northern NM counties. Her strong curiosity surrounding human potential led her to become a certified life coach in 2021. Melanie also serves as Board President for Queen Bee Music Association and volunteers with the Santa Fe Community Foundation grants committee. She is the mother of two beautiful young men, is partnered with her high school sweetheart, and is a lover of personal growth, nature, art, and design.
505.750.1732
melanie@newmexicowomen.org
Elsa Lopez
PROGRAM MANAGER
Elsa Lopez is originally from a small farming community in Chihuahua, Mexico and has lived in New Mexico for 25 years. She has a BA in Finance and Marketing from UNM. Elsa has spent over 20 years spearheading racial and economic justice campaigns in New Mexico and nationally to build power and advocate for immigrants and low wage workers. Her commitment to racial and economic justice is rooted in her own experience as an immigrant student. She continues to be inspired by the tenacity, resiliency, and courage of her community who dare to reimagine and create a more just and equitable future for our familias. Elsa loves food, hiking, gardening, and photography.
505.750.1732
elsa@newmexicowomen.org
Fatima van Hattum
PROGRAM CO-DIRECTOR
Fatima was born in Española and raised in Abiquiu, New Mexico. She has an MSc in Globalization and Development from University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). She has a background in post-colonial development, food justice, and gender and labor rights. She loves collaborating with communities across the state and is committed to working towards gender and social justice in New Mexico. Fatima is also a poet and PhD candidate in the University of New Mexico’s Educational Thought and Sociocultural Studies program.
505.750.1732
fatima@newmexicowomen.org