Team
Meet Pivotal New Mexico’s board of directors, staff, and partners. Our team has decades of experience working as funders, grant writers, legislators, and advocacy staff. We are ready to help your team thrive.
M.A. in Latin American Studies from UNM, BA in Latin American Studies from UNM
Professional Background:
I’ve always worked in some sort of public service: government, politics, and non-profit.
What do you love about New Mexico?
I love the great expanse and visiting every corner of it.
What about Pivotal NM's work or mission is meaningful to you?
I like being a part of an effort to make New Mexico better and see our state succeed.
BA English and Psychology
Professional background:
Nonprofit for life.
What do you love about New Mexico?
Our people, poetry, history, traditions, food, and way of life.
What about Pivotal NM's work or mission is meaningful to you?
We’re the point of impact for so much in our community.
Executive MBA from UNM, BA in Psychology from UNM
Professional background:
I enjoy the research, problem solving, and creative planning that grant writing involves, and I Iove demystifying those processes through teaching.
What do you love about New Mexico? There are so many wonderful aspects to New Mexico, but when it comes to what I really love, it is all about roots. I grew up under cottonwoods, trees that have deep taproots connecting them from our blue skies to water hidden under the land. New Mexico is about those deep, sustaining connections of family, friends, traditions, and home.
What about Pivotal NM's work or mission is meaningful to you?
I believe deeply in the need to draw outside investment into New Mexico and that we can do that by scaling high-performance proposal writing and funding cultivation.
Professional Background: MBA from UNM, BA in Religion from Drury University
Professional Background: I have a passion for nonprofit work and enjoy supporting my team in their daily tasks to help Pivotal NM continue to run smoothly.
What do you love about New Mexico?
I love the wide open spaces, the big blue sky, and the (almost) endless sunshine.
What about Pivotal NM's work or mission is meaningful to you?
Pivotal NM cares about the people that live and work in communities across our state. It's inspiring to work with colleagues and partners who support organizations that boost the quality of life for New Mexicans.
Contracted through SerratoYbarra Communications
BA in Public Policy from Stanford University
Professional background:
Linda has dedicated her career to leading advocacy and activism teams.
What do you love about New Mexico?
Getting outside in New Mexico can mean so many different things depending on the time of year, time of day, and part of the state. It's an outdoor paradise.
What about Pivotal NM's work or mission is meaningful to you?
We work with some incredible organizations to bring resources to great projects. I'm proud to be a small part of that support.
Contracted through Delphi Solutions LLC
MBA from Webster University, BA in Political Science and Art History from UNM
Professional background:
Over twenty years of direct managerial, organizational development, human resource, technical and administrative support experience within both the private and public sectors.
What do you love about New Mexico?
This is truly hard. I love the land, the sky, the people, my family and friends, the diversity on every level and that I am lucky enough to call it home.
What about Pivotal NM's work or mission is meaningful to you?
I love solving problems and I love helping people, Pivotal puts two of my favorite things to do together.
Contracted through Jackson Writing & Research
BA in English/History of Arts from Johns Hopkins University; MA in Latin American Studies and MBA from University of New Mexico
Professional background:
I’ve been primarily a grant writer for almost nine years, but I’ve been a writer in some form or another since high school—including as a journalist, technical writer, and poet.
What do you love about New Mexico?
The weather, cultural diversity, and natural beauty.
What about Pivotal NM's work or mission is meaningful to you?
It’s validating to support an organization that helps nonprofits to get the funding they need. I did a stint as a textbook editor a long time ago, and that was the job that made me realize that I need to be doing work that directly supports New Mexico so that it is a better place for everyone to live.
Contracted through Impact Catalyst LLC
Degree in International Studies and Business from University of Pennsylvania; Executive Education in Impact Investing from Said Business School at the University of Oxford.
Professional Background:
I draw on my background in finance to support investments with positive social and environmental impact.
What do you love about New Mexico?
The beautiful landscapes and diverse people.
What about Pivotal NM's work or mission is meaningful to you?
Working with local communities throughout the state and engaging public and private sector partners.
Phil Schiliro
More Information: In addition to advising Grow New Mexico, he is Managing Director of Schiliro Barnett, a consulting business that focuses on nonprofit organizations.
Our board
Company website: 2540group.com
What do you love about New Mexico? Everything. Our sunsets are hard to beat.
What about Pivotal NM's work or mission is meaningful to you?
Helping New Mexicans envision a bright future.
More Info: Jennifer has extensive experience in marketing, digital strategy, creative services and public relations. A two-time University of New Mexico graduate, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and political science, and a master’s degree in business administration. She is the current Board President for Albuquerque Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners Collaborative, an organization dedicated to assisting survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. Jennifer also serves on the board of UNM’s Anderson School of Management Alumni Council.
Nusenda Credit Union, Chief Community Engagement Officer
Company website: www.nusendafoundation.org/home
What do you love about New Mexico?
The expansive sky and beautiful sunrise and sunsets.
What about Pivotal NM's work or mission is meaningful to you?
Complex challenges demand multifaceted solutions – Pivotal NM’s work leverages important resources to tackle some of our greatest challenges to improve the lives of New Mexicans.
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Robin Brulé is the Chief Community Engagement Officer of Nusenda Credit Union, and is the Chief Strategist of the Albuquerque Living Cities Integration Initiative known as City Alive. She has been recognized as an Annie E. Casey Children & Families Fellow, Junior Achievement New Mexico Business Hall of Fame Laureate, a New Mexico Power Broker, a Woman of Influence, a Presidio Cross Sector Leadership Fellow, an Opportunity Finance Network Fellow, and was awarded the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce Leadership Award.
ABQid, powered by CNM Ingenuity, Executive Director and Fund Manager
Company website: www.abqid.com
What do you love about New Mexico? The rich tapestry of people, culture, and our combined potential
What about Pivotal NM's work or mission is meaningful to you?
Because we're advancing an abundance mindset, helping bring investment into New Mexico, and forging collaboration in the process.
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T.J. brings more than 15 years of experience on the forefront of emerging technologies and entrepreneurial strategies that have put mobile, social applications within reach of nonprofits, international development groups, and mission-driven for-profit organizations. He has helped design a rapid approach to problem solving that has launched more than 100 digital solutions, helped codify vision, and has facilitated early digital concepts that are now in use by millions.
Cathy Frey
New Mexico Association of Grantmakers, Executive Director
Company website: www.nmag.org/
What do you love about New Mexico?
New Mexicans and the cultural landscape.
What about Pivotal NM's work or mission is meaningful to you?
Access to Resources + Capacity = Nonprofit Success.
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Cathy has an extensive background working with nonprofits, foundations, and state and local government to promote healthy and equitable communities. She is committed to social change strategies that respect local expertise and build capacity through collaboration and community empowerment. In working with nonprofits and grantmakers of all sizes, she understands that organizational collaboration and multi-sector partnerships have enormous potential for greater social impact. Cathy has a MPA and MSPH from University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Minnesota, respectively.
The Street Food Institute, Executive Director
Company website: streetfoodinstitute.org/
What do you love about New Mexico?
There are so many things I love about my home state but if I have to pick one it would be the food!
What about Pivotal NM's work or mission is meaningful to you?
The work and mission of Pivotal NM is incredibly meaningful to me because it provides non-profits and agencies the knowledge, tools, and resources to support their own mission and work.
More Info:
Tina has worked as both a teacher and Community Engagement Director at Amy Biehl High School for thirteen years. She also spent several years as a Human Resources Generalist and Human Resources Manager prior to embarking on her teaching career. She is enthusiastic about food and excited to share her experience and skills as a board member with Pivotal New Mexico.
The Grant Plant, President
Company website: www.thegrantplantnm.com
What do you love about New Mexico?
I love New Mexico for its great weather, local food and art destinations, abundant open land, multicultural richness, resiliency, and its sense of community.
What about Pivotal NM's work or mission is meaningful to you?
Pivotal is literally the turning point for New Mexico’s smart, resourceful, creative agencies to go from the “what” of their every day work to the “so what” of their organizations, which changes their trajectory. I’m so proud to be part of an organization that is committed to helping New Mexico compete for resources that have bypassed the state for too long.
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Tara holds a BA from New Mexico State University and a master’s-level certificate in resource development from Regis University in Denver. She is a graduate of Leadership Albuquerque (2009) and has been recognized as a Top-Performing CEO (2011), a Forty Under 40 Leader (2014), and a Woman of Influence (2017) by the New Mexico Business First.
Junior Achievement of NM, President
Company website: newmexico.ja.org/
What do you love about New Mexico?
Our multicultural heritage helps make us a stronger community.
What about Pivotal NM's work or mission is meaningful to you?
The focus on the actual needs of New Mexico's rural and urban communities is never taken for granted.
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Erin brings over 16 years of executive leadership and fundraising to the community and has raised over $6M for local nonprofits. She is a member of Rotary Club of Albuquerque, Economic Forum of Albuquerque, the Association of Fundraising Professionals-NM, and Women in Philanthropy. She is married to Glenn Nicol. Glenn and Erin have lived in Albuquerque for close to 25 years and have two children, Orion and Everett.
Bank of the West, Senior Relationship Manager in NM Business Banking
Company website: www.bankofthewest.com/commercial-banking.html
What do you love about New Mexico?
The People and the Weather.
What about Pivotal NM's work or mission is meaningful to you?
Helping organizations find and win resources and funds to support their own missions.
More Info:
Alexander is a native German who found his way to Albuquerque, NM, completing his Masters in Finance at the University of New Mexico. He has worked for a Fortune 250 company and managed supply-chains/logistics for national corporations. Having a passion for finance and for working with local business owners, Alex joined the Business Banking Group at Bank of the West as a Business Banking Relationship Officer, where he works with local SMEs to help them grow their businesses through providing financing options and cash management services.
The Grant Plant, Vice President
Company website: www.thegrantplantnm.com
What do you love about New Mexico?
I love the weather, hiking, camping and skiing, cultural diversity, sightseeing, iconic events like the Balloon Fiesta, and of course, the food!
What about Pivotal NM's work or mission is meaningful to you?
Pivotal NM amplifies the work that our nonprofit community does — so when you support Pivotal, you support education, health care, social services, the arts, community development, and more. Pivotal helps New Mexico nonprofits gain the funding and technical resources to best fulfill their missions, and that means a better New Mexico for all of us.
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Erin holds a master’s degree from UNM and a BA in Business Administration from NMSU. Prior to founding The Grant Plant in 2003, she worked in the education and government sectors. Erin is an active member of the national Grant Professionals Association and was recognized as a C-Suite honoree for her role as Chief Operating Officer with The Grant Plant in 2017 by New Mexico Business First.
Brett Johnson
City of Albuquerque, Albuquerque Police Dept. Systems Analyst
Company website: www.cabq.gov/police
What do you love about New Mexico?
Natural beauty and dynamic people.
What about Pivotal NM's work or mission is meaningful to you?
People helping people succeed at their own goals.
More Info:
In addition to being a systems analyst, Brett is also Co-Owner and Vice President of Data-Scribe, a business and technology consulting company he co-founded with his wife in 2003. Brett is proud to have provided solutions to over 100 small and large organizations in the private, government, and nonprofit sectors. Brett has volunteered as a trainer with the Center for Nonprofit Excellence and as an advisor and consultant with SCORE. Although originally from Denver, Brett has grown roots here and enjoys calling New Mexico home along with his wife and two daughters.
Public Service Company of NM (PNM) Tribal Government Relations Manager, Sr.
Company website: www.pnm.com
What do you love about New Mexico?
As a Pueblo person, I love the fact that my ancestors have lived on this land since time immemorial. Pueblo culture and traditions are deeply connected to “place” which is an important part of our family and for future generations.
What about Pivotal NM's work or mission is meaningful to you?
Bringing non-profits together, for the purpose of capacity building, is critical to the communities and individuals throughout NM. I’m thankful for the opportunity to lend an Indigenous perspective to the board and continue to provide important connections into New Mexico’s tribal communities and organizations.
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Travis’ career has afforded him great opportunities to work with tribes locally and nationally and to advocate and engage with them on many different levels. Being from three Pueblos; Laguna, Acoma and Taos, Travis brings an important perspective into our work. Prior to PNM, Travis worked for the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in various capacities, including Executive Director and Cultural and Community Engagement Officer. Travis also served as the Indian Tourism Program Manager and Tourism Development Director in the NM Tourism Department and as Deputy Cabinet Secretary with the Indian Affairs Department.
HUB New Mexico, Vice President
Company website: www.hubinternational.com/offices/us/new-mexico/albuquerque/
What do you love about New Mexico?
I love the people in New Mexico and it’s the people that make doing business so great! A great perk to New Mexico is the outdoors, the activities, the views, the beauty of our State.
What about Pivotal NM's work or mission is meaningful to you?
What I love about this organization and the work they do is seeing and hearing about all of the positive things that are happening in the state and that Pivotal NM is a resource helping all these different organizations make a difference. I am honored to be involved and a part of what they do.
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Justin also serves as a board member for the Road Runner Little League and was previously Chairman of the Board for the Boys and Girls Club of Central NM. He is also a charter member of Rotary Club of Albuquerque Metro, an Immanuel Lutheran School Board Member, and an Albuquerque Speech, Language and Hearing board member.
Partners
