I'm honored to officially step into the role of Executive Director of the ACLU of New Mexico. While many of you know me from my decade here—as staff attorney, legal director, deputy director, and most recently interim executive director—I want to share why I'm excited about where we're headed together.
My journey to this moment wasn't conventional. I didn't grow up planning to be a civil rights lawyer. Instead, I was shaped by experiences that taught me both the sting of injustice and the power of fighting back. Being searched by a school cop on my first day of high school as a young Black student. Organizing against racially coded policies like banning wave caps. Discovering my path to law while running files at a local firm—yes, I literally started in this field running legal documents from office to office.
Those experiences taught me that civil rights work isn't abstract—it's deeply personal, rooted in real experiences of real people who deserve better from the systems that are supposed to serve them.
I approach leadership the way I approached sports: putting people in positions to succeed, filling gaps when needed, and adapting to whatever the moment calls for. Real leadership isn't about being the loudest voice in the room—it's about creating conditions where everyone can do their best work.
Civil rights work isn't abstract—it's deeply personal
My leadership philosophy centers on supporting our incredibly talented team. I believe in leadership by presence—showing up and working alongside people across every department, understanding how I can be most useful to each team.
During my years as a civil rights litigator, I came to understand the power of storytelling—not just in court, but in policy and public education. Whether drafting a legal complaint or speaking at a community forum, I learned that how we frame an issue can open minds, shift power, and build coalitions. That lesson now shapes how I lead: I focus on alignment, making sure our narrative, strategy, and values all pull in the same direction. The work gets chaotic, but when we’re clear on why we do what we do, we can navigate any challenge with integrity and focus.
In times of political upheaval, bold leadership isn't about volume or reaction—it's about clarity, discipline, and courage. It means staying aligned with our values and strategy even under pressure, knowing when we're uniquely positioned to lead and when to support others in leading. It means not blinking when the stakes are high while remaining principled and focused on the long game.
None of this work happens without our community who makes it possible.
As we face mounting challenges to civil liberties—from immigrants' rights, reproductive freedom, public safety, and Indigenous justice to criminal legal reform—I believe our strength lies in listening to what's happening on the ground and understanding the lived experiences of the communities we serve before we deploy our in-house experts to craft coordinated legal, policy, and communications strategies.
None of this work happens without our community who makes it possible. Your support, your voices, your willingness to stand with us in fights both big and small—that's what gives our work real power.
I'm stepping into this role not as someone with all the answers, but as someone committed to learning, growing, and fighting alongside our incredible team and partners across New Mexico. We'll face setbacks and make mistakes along the way, but if we're acting in good faith and staying true to our mission, we'll adapt and grow stronger together.
The work of defending civil rights and liberties has never been more urgent. I'm honored to help lead it into whatever comes next.
