We envision a future where everyone in New Mexico has equitable access to healthcare, including uninsured, medically under-resourced, rural and tribal communities.
We envision a future where everyone in New Mexico has equitable access to healthcare, including uninsured, medically under-resourced, rural and tribal communities.
Over 20 years ago, the Con Alma Health Foundation was established to invest more than $20 million dollars from the sale of Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico. The Foundation's work is rooted in improving health for under-resourced communities in New Mexico especially in rural areas and Tribal lands.
President, Board of Trustees
Roswell, New Mexico
Nathan Padilla, LCSW, a native New Mexican and resident of Roswell, serves as the Executive Director and Clinical Director of Embrace, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the community. With a passion for improving healthcare access, Nathan also works directly with medically uninsured and underserved communities across New Mexico. As an educator in substance abuse and mental health, Nathan brings valuable expertise to his role. He actively contributes to policy and planning initiatives and serves as President on Con Alma Health Foundation’s Board of Trustees.
Vice President, Board of Trustees
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Robert Apodaca, Principal Owner of RMA Advisory Group, LLC, leverages his upbringing in northern New Mexico to drive legislative, environmental, and economic initiatives. With extensive governmental experience, including roles appointed by President Barack Obama and Governor Bill Richardson, Robert collaborates with diverse stakeholders to strengthen communities. He holds a BBA in Finance from NMSU and remains deeply committed to serving and enhancing New Mexico.
Board Member
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Christopher Chavez, MBA, a lifelong New Mexican, brings extensive experience in economic development, local government, public policy, and nonprofit engagement. Holding both a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health Education and an MBA from the University of New Mexico, Christopher’s commitment to service led him to join the U.S. Army Reserves as a combat medic for eight years during his time at UNM. Transitioning to civilian life, he served as an AmeriCorps VISTA, supporting adult basic literacy and ESL initiatives. Currently, Christopher serves as the Economic Development Manager for the City of Albuquerque while cherishing his role as a proud father of two teenagers.
Board Member
Mescalero Apache Nation
Rainey Enjady, a member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, brings over two decades of finance and human resources experience with the Indian Health Service, offering invaluable insights into the health needs of her community and Native Americans statewide. As the Administrative Officer for the Mescalero Service Unit, Rainey excels in budget estimation. She also volunteers on the Institution Review Board of the Southwest and the Tribal Institutional Review Board for the Albuquerque Area Indian Health Board, while serving as a Principal Investigator for the Systems of Care Grant with the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services. Rainey holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting from Eastern New Mexico University.
Board Member
Navajo Nation
Originally from Gallup, Ophelia serves as the Northwest Area Health Promotion Manager with the Department of Health, overseeing three counties, including McKinley County. With extensive expertise in community programs, health councils, coalition building, and community health improvement efforts, Ophelia is dedicated to making a positive impact on New Mexico communities. In 2017, Ophelia (Reeder) was honored as one of Con Alma’s Heroes of Health for her steadfast commitment to fostering impactful partnerships.
Board Member
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Lori Martinez, LMSW, is the Executive Director of Ngage New Mexico, dedicated to advancing Southern New Mexico’s well-being. With extensive experience in social work, including roles at New Mexico State University and as a Certified Field Instructor, Lori identifies community needs and develops tailored programs. She also serves on the Board of Directors at the Southwest Environmental Law Center.
Board Member
Roswell, New Mexico
Lorrina, a native of Roswell, brings three decades of corporate leadership in human resources and recruiting to her current role as CEO of Wings for L.I.F.E., a 501C3 non-profit. Throughout her career, she’s dedicated her time to volunteering for various non-profit and civic organizations, including the Georgia Council on Child Abuse Hotline and Habitat for Humanity, where she’s led teams in renovating houses. Lorrina’s commitment to community service extends to her roles as President of the Roswell Sertoma Club and as a board member and volunteer “Big Sister” at Big Brothers Big Sisters, SENM. Additionally, she serves as a trustee for the Roswell Museum & Art Center and was appointed by the Governor to the New Mexico Commission on the Status of Women from 2021 to 2024.
Board Member
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Terri Tewart serves as the Dean of the School of Sciences, Health, Engineering, and Math at SFCC. Before her current role, she led the Nursing Education and Allied Health department since 2017. A nurse in New Mexico since 2007, Terri’s passion for education led her to teach and direct nursing programs in 2013. Believing in education’s transformative power, she draws from her experience as a native New Mexican who earned her degree from CNM. Actively contributing to nursing education in New Mexico, Terri serves on boards like the New Mexico Nursing Education Consortium Leadership Council and the Nursing Education Advisory Committee. Dedicated to Santa Fe Community College, Terri fosters growth and success for students, staff, and faculty alike.
Board Member
Silver City, New Mexico
Susie, a native of Silver City, devoted 21 years to serving her community at Gila Regional Medical Center in the Community Health and Wellness/Community Outreach field. During her tenure, she actively participated in various organizations, including the Health Policy Commission and the Behavioral Health Planning Council. As a founding member of Con Alma’s Community Advisory Committee, Susie found a platform to advocate for rural community voices, a cause close to her heart. Celebrating 50 years of marriage, Susie takes immense pride in her three children and grandchildren.
Board Member
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Johannah Yazzie, MSN-RN, CPNP-PC, hails from Bloomfield, New Mexico, bringing over 13 years of nursing experience to her practice. She earned her Bachelor’s of Nursing from the University of New Mexico in 2008, followed by her Master’s of Science in Nursing with a certificate in Pediatrics in 2017. Johannah began her career as a Pediatric Nursing Practitioner on the Navajo Reservation in Chinle, Arizona, before serving the Urban Native American Population in Phoenix, Arizona. Currently, she works with the Kewa Pueblo Health Corporation at Santo Domingo Pueblo. Beyond her professional pursuits, Johannah finds joy in fishing along the San Juan River, hiking, reading, and spending quality time with her family.
Executive Director
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.
Associate Director
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.
Information Manager
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.
Program Officer
Dennis provides coordination and leadership for Con Alma’s communications and 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 excluded communities Con Alma supports. He likes to learn about the incredible work grantees and partners do across New Mexico and looks for opportunities to 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.
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