“If you are dreaming of something that you believe you can accomplish, you are dreaming too small.” -John Avila

On June 12, 2022, HPS hosted its inaugural Executive Speaker Series! This series is focused on impacting the community through the success stories found throughout New Mexico of Hispanic business owners, executives, and leaders. The inaugural event hosted John and Kathleen Avila of Avila Retail Development & Management, LLC. John and Kathleen discussed their lives, their successes and failures as business owners, and the impact that they have been able to make in our community through philanthropy!

HPS is set to host the next installment of this speaker series on October 12, 2022! Information and registration for this event can be found below!

Join HPS as we celebrate and honor local Hispanic leaders and HPS members throughout Hispanic Heritage Month on the social media platforms of the United Way of Central New Mexico!

We observe National Hispanic Heritage Month by celebrating the histories, cultures, and positive contributions of people from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. View the videos below to learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month and some of the Hispanic leaders that have positively contributed to our country:

We are excited to welcome three new members to its council who will serve in furthering the mission of HPS:

Stephanie Jaramillo Kozemchak is a former United Way of Central NM employee and has been associated with HPS since its inception. She now works as the Marketing Director for Leadership New Mexico, a non-profit that offers programs to influential leaders from around the state giving them educational and inspirational experiences. Welcome, Stephanie!

Roberta Rivera is a Community Relations Specialist in the Community Involvement Organization at Sandia National Laboratories. Roberta joins HPS Council as an avid philanthropist throughout her career and her prior affiliation with UWCNM on our Corporate Investment Council. Welcome, Roberta!

Ana Trujillo is the Senior VP of Support Services at Nusenda Credit Union. Ana is passionate about New Mexico and helping its communities thrive. She is involved in numerous civic organizations including Joy Junction Homeless Shelter, Westside Winter Homeless Shelter, the Special Olympics, Roadrunner Food Bank and the Veterans Memorial. Welcome, Ana!

We’d like to recognize two members of our council for their continued success and amazing work within their respective professional roles!

Jade Rivera, Founder and Executive Director of Albuquerque Collegiate Charter School, was recently recognized alongside her team, with an award for Innovation in Education. The award from TeachPlus New Mexico celebrated the school’s impressive student achievement results and comprehensive teacher coaching and support program. Interested in learning more? Click Here!

Dr. Kenneth Armijo, Principal Member of Technical Staff at Sandia National Laboratories, recently gained notoriety for the research his team is conducting related to renewable energy. In an effort to combine his research on solar energy and the chile pepper, which is deeply rooted in New Mexican culture, Kenneth’s latest project consisted of using solar power to roast green chile! Interested in learning more? Click here!

The HPS Leadership Committee is currently engaging in numerous events and activities related to professional development including workshops, speaker series, and networking opportunities for professionals. If you are interested in volunteering or learning more please contact Victoria Berroteran!

We’re excited to announce the awardees of their 2021-2022 grant cycle!

We’ve approved the funding of two organizations: Job’s for America’s Graduates (JAG) New Mexico and NewMexicoKidsCAN.

JAG is a dropout prevention and school re-engagement program that helps academically vulnerable, underserved students to show up, reconnect, and graduate from high school. JAG program is designed to support critical needs of high school students. NewMexicoKidsCAN is an education advocacy nonprofit striving to ensure all students in New Mexico have access to high-quality schools.

Interested in donating to HPS? Click Here!

We were proud to participate in the 2022 Annual Day of Caring hosted by United Way of Central New Mexico on September 17! Our volunteers worked at a local charter school, Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts, performing beautification projects around the school. This was a great, hands-on experience that allowed HPS to further its mission by serving our community directly!

Of course, we cannot continue this work without the help of our amazing donors and members! To volunteer, to join a committee, or if you are a donor interested in becoming an HPS member, please contact Victoria Berroteran!