CSW Women’s Summit 2023 | bear conference room 1:45 – 2:45 pm
In an atmosphere of constructive dialogue and shared purpose, legislators engage in a panel discussion, providing answers to the questions posed by a panel of social activists seeking guidance on uniting policy and advocacy efforts to empower positive change in New Mexico.
Moderator: Lan Sena
Lan Sena, Policy Director for Civic Policy
Lan Sena was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico and is the daughter of Vietnamese refugees that settled in Albuquerque in 1975 and 1981. She received her Baccalaureate degree in Political Science from the University of New Mexico and her Master of Health Administration from the School of Public Administration at the University of New Mexico.
Panelists
Rep. Javier Martinez, New Mexico State Representative
Javier Martínez is the New Mexico State Representative from District 11. He serves as the House Majority Floor Leader and as a member of the House Taxation and Revenue Committee and the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee. During the interim session, Javier serves on the Legislative Finance Committee and the Revenue Stabilization and Tax Policy Committee. Since his election in 2014 Javier has been a leader on government transparency, early childhood education, equitable tax reform, and renewable energy.
Javier has been a tireless advocate for New Mexico’s communities for over a decade. He serves as Executive Director of the Partnership for Community Action, a community-based organization that works to build healthy communities. Javier’s career started in 2000 as a community organizer in Albuquerque’s historic Barelas, Wells Park, and Sawmill neighborhoods. As an organizer, Javier developed a reputation for being highly effective as a consensus builder, a tough negotiator, and an advocate for working families.
Rep. Kristina Ortez, New Mexico State Representative
Kristina Ortez is an American politician and non-profit executive serving as a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives from the 42nd district. Elected in 2020, she assumed office on January 19, 2021.
Sen. Linda M. Lopez, New Mexico State Senate
Senator Linda M. Lopez was elected to serve in the NM State Senate in 1996 representing District 11 in Southwest Bernalillo County. She is a member of the Judiciary Committee and Co-Chair of the Interim Legislative Ethics Committee. She served as Chair of the Senate Rules Committee from 2002-2020. She served as NM Senate Majority Whip 2021-2022. She served as Chair of the Bernalillo County Democratic Party from 2003-2005. Senator Lopez earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the College of Santa Fe, followed in 1992 with an MBA. She has sponsored anti-racism, equal pay for equal work, funding for domestic violence and sexual assault programs, and many other family friendly legislation. Sen. Lopez serves as an Advisory Board member to Hopeworks and also serves as a Commissioner to the Office of Family Representation. She recently received the first Annual Legacy Award of Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta. Sen. Lopez is a native New Mexican. She is a single parent, has a 22-year old son, Lorenzo and is guardian to 11-year old Cherish Rose.
Senatore Shannon D. Pinto, New Mexico State Legislature
Shannon D. Pinto is an American politician serving as a member of the New Mexico Senate. A member of the Democratic Party, Pinto represents the 3rd district, which includes Shiprock, New Mexico and part of Navajo Nation.
A member of Navajo Nation, Pinto was born and raised in Tohatchi, New Mexico. She earned an Associate’s degree in Business from the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of New Mexico.
Dr. Sondra Roeuny, Emerge New Mexico Executive Director
Sondra Roeuny serves as the Executive Director of Emerge New Mexico, the state’s premier and only organization dedicated to recruiting, training, and creating a powerful network to help Democratic women and non-binary leaders to run for office — and win.
Sondra received a M.Ed. and Ed.D. from the University of Pennsylvania’s Chief Learning Officer Program. She earned a master’s degree from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government in public policy, with a concentration in internal and financial management. Sondra received a bachelor’s degree in social welfare with high honors from the University of California at Berkeley.
Sondra Roeuny is the proud daughter of courageous refugees who survived the Khmer Rouge genocide that killed over two million Khmers due to starvation, torture, and persecution. She attributes her opportunities and achievements to her parents’ sacrifices, resilience, and unconditional love and support in the face of adversity.
Terrelene Massey, Executive Director
Terrelene holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of New Mexico School of Law, and a Master of Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Austin, Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs. She is licensed to practice law in New Mexico and the Navajo Nation. Terrelene most recently served as the Executive Director of the Navajo Division of Social Services. She was appointed by the President of the Navajo Nation and confirmed by the Navajo Nation Council. She served in this capacity from May 2015 to January 2019. Prior to her appointment with the Navajo Nation, Terrelene was employed as an attorney at Johnson Barnhouse & Keegan, LLP, in Albuquerque. She also served as a staff attorney at New Mexico Legal Aid, Inc., where she provided legal services to low-income clients regarding federal Indian law, family law, and tribal law matters.
Kayla Herring, Social Activist
Kayla Herring (she/her) was born and raised in Albuquerque where she went to the University of New Mexico for Cultural Anthropology and Gender and Sexuality Studies. Kayla volunteered as a patient advocate with Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains before transitioning to a community organizer role. Six years later, Kayla is Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains’ New Mexico Public Affairs Director continuing her work to ensure all people can make their own personal medical decisions, without government interference, through organizing, policy, and electoral work. She lives in Albuquerque with her partner, Ayisha, and pitbull Sprout.
