The Community Advisory Committee provides advice and recommendations to the Con Alma Health Foundation Board of Trustees concerning the performance of the Foundation in achieving its Charitable Purpose and Mission and to identify and assess the health needs of all New Mexicans.
Donna currently assists Native American community-based organizations in protecting traditional eco-cultural assets from adverse development. Donna is a botanical consultant and specializes in ethnobotany of indigenous peoples, and traditional ecological knowledge research and environmental policy.
Nelson has 10 years of experience working in Albuquerque’s nonprofit sector, focusing primarily on homelessness and hunger. Currently he is the program manager of the Grants Collective, which helps nonprofits compete for and secure federal and philanthropic investment. His volunteer work includes serving on the boards of both the New Mexico and national Young Nonprofit Professionals.
“Authentic engagement and representation is so critical, and it’s a lot of challenging work, but it’s something I love in working with community every day. That’s the biggest reason I joined Con Alma’s Community Advisory Committee,” said Nelson, who works with neighborhoods to establish community-driven, equitable economic development.
Beverly has a passion for social justice in healthcare and is an advocate for health disparities to be addressed in New Mexico. She has many years experience working in community health and has a degree in social justice.
“I have always been drawn to the mission of Con Alma Health Foundation, which gets resources to those in New Mexico that are doing the work to address social change and health disparities in our state.”
Joaquin is a clinical youth and family Social Worker with the Bernalillo schools. He has experience in working with community based programs throughout the state for over 25 years; and he has provided program development, supervision and direct services in efforts to sustain integral internal and external accountability. He is a Native Northern New Mexican. He provides a positive cultural male mentorship to youth and families, program development and service provision focused on family centered philosophy. His goals are to support organizations that are focused on leadership and capacity building to help local youth and family support services and resources.
Melanie recently joined U.S. Sen. Tom Udall’s state staff after 6 ½ years working as a field representative for U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman in his Las Cruces office. She advances Sen. Udall’s education and health policy agendas at the community level and reaches out to constituent groups and elected officials in southwest New Mexico. She has a bachelor’s degree in comparative literature and a master’s in public health.
“It’s an honor to serve as a member of the Community Advisory Committee for Con Alma Health Foundation. Each member brings deep connections and perspectives of the needs and strengths of our state’s many diverse communities. I feel I am part of a truly unique and valuable partnership with the staff and the Board in helping to carry out the core values and mission of Con Alma.”
Sonlatsa is Navajo-Modoc enrolled in the Navajo Nation. She is of the Sleeping Rock Clan and born for the Modoc Tribe. Her maternal grandfather is of the Salt Clan. She was raised on and lives on the Navajo Reservation in Tohlakai, NM. She has a Bachelor’s Degree from Colorado College and is working on a Master’s in Public Administration. She is the Policy Analyst for the COPE Project after serving as the Program Manager for the CDC REACH grant. She is a leadership coach for the Navajo Community Health Outreach Youth Leadership Program, and an advocate for social justice in public education and environmental justice. She is leading food justice efforts through Navajo Food Policy advocacy and drinking water access on the Navajo Nation. Sonlatsa is a Native American Consultant, wife, mother of four children, a traditional food grower, and an indigenous activist and advocate.
Twila has been a member of Con Alma’s Community Advisory Committee since 2005. She currently holds the position of General Manager with Interim HealthCare and Hospice in Clovis. Previously, she was the Special Projects coordinator with the Curry County Administration, and adjunct faculty at Wayland Baptist University. In addition to her participation with the Community Advisory Committee, Ms. Rutter is the President of New Mexico Health Resources, Inc., Secretary of the Clovis branch of the Salvation Army, and a member of Curry County Public Library Board. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from Texas Tech University, and an M.B.A. from Eastern New Mexico University.
