2010 Board of Directors

Officers:

Monica Rodriguez Roybal - President

is a mom and wife who has had a varied career from chemist to court administrator. She is graduate of the University of New Mexico. Monica currently holds the position of Deputy Court Executive Officer of the 2nd Judicial Children’s Court. Monica’s interests include New Mexico politics, reading, traveling, and working in her garden. Monica was born and raised in the beautiful Española Valley

Raqui Martinez - Treasurer

serves as Treasurer for HWC and has been an active member since 1990. Raqui is a past HWC president and serves on the Book Committee as well as one of the editors of the book, Mujeres Valerosas. She has been an HWC liaison member of the Hispanic Women’s Coalition where she was very involved in the Distinguished Hispanic Achievement Awards. Raqui is the Director of Faculty Contracts and Services for UNM and is co-owner of the Chiropractic Lifestyle Center in Albuquerque.

Gloria Chavez Sampson

is a graduate of UNM Valenica with a degree in Criminology and is a graduate of the Albuquerque Police Department Citizens Police Academy. Gloria works for the 377th Medical Group at Kirtland Air Force Base. She is an active member of many community associations including the Blue Star Mothers of Valencia/Rio Grande Valley Chapter. Gloria was born and raised in Carrizozo, NM.

Marisa de Aragon

is the Director of Research for Albuquerque Economic Development, Inc. (AED). Prior to joining AED, she was a labor economist for the NM Department of Labor. Marisa earned a MBA from UNM and a B.A. in Economics from St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana. When she and her husband Ramon are not busy remodeling their home, they like to spend time outdoors camping, fishing and dreaming of places to go on their next vacation. Marisa is a native of the beautiful Española Valley.

Leila Flores Duenas

is an education professor at UNM who teaches courses in the fields of teacher education, literacy, bilingualism, sociocultural studies, and Hispanic Folklore. She does research on literacy learning related to immigrant and minority education, bicultural studies, and multicultural literature. In the community, Leila has served as a past president of HWC and she currently runs the UNM Family Literacy Program at Dolores Gonzáles Elementary. She is also a performer with Carol Vigil in various projects that feature women’s history in the Borderlands, and her interests include arts education and musical theatre.

Luica Lopez

Bio coming soon

Lucinda Lucero Sachs

is a writer, historian, and former US History teacher. From 2001-2004, she managed the Literary Program at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, where she coordinated the 1st and 2nd National Latino Writers’ Conference. Lucinda initiated author workshops and co-produced Pláticas, a KNME film when she chaired Author Month for the Albuquerque Tricentennial. Currently she writes fiction and teaches memoir at Bear Canyon and North Valley Senior Centers. She also devotes time to research and writing to obtain for Hispanic women permanent recognition on the NM Women’s Historic Marker Initiative. Lucinda is a native of Alameda and the daughter of Erminda Sachs and the late Ben Sachs. She is married to Lewis E. Real and they have two children, Hilary and Michael.

Salome Martinez-Lutz

Bio coming soon

Benai Padilla

Bio coming soon

Hilary Real

holds a Bachelors degree in Theatre with a minor in Music from the College of Santa Fe. In 2001, she relocated to the East Coast to pursue a career in acting. She returned to Albuquerque in 2004 and accepted a position with the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce. During this time she planned and executed a wide variety of events. In 2008, she served as an Event Manager for Kesselman-Jones, Inc., a communications firm that specializes in Conference and Event Management. Currently, she operates as an independent contractor and provides the services of graphic design as well as event coordination, marketing, and promotion. When not immersed in the design process or planning an event Hilary’s passions are serving on the board of the HWC as well as dance, music and reading.

Vangie Samora

is a past president of HWC and currently serves as Chair of the Book Project Committee. She is the editor of the HWC book, Mujeres Valerosas and is the de facto historian of HWC. Vangie was the first recipient of the HWC’s Estrella Brillante award. She is a former Executive Director of the National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation, was later appointed by the governor to a term on the policy board of the NHCC, and served a term on the board of the Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity. She received the Governor’s Award for Outstanding NM Woman, is a Leadership Albuquerque Alumni and was selected a Distinguished 100 UNM Alumni. She earned a BA and MPA degree in Public Administration from the University of New Mexico. Now semi-retired, she consults on special projects and devotes time to family and friends. She has travelled extensively and makes it a priority to spend time in the great outdoors on hikes with her husband Jim Iden.

Veronica Sanchez

has paternal roots in Anton Chico and her maternal roots in Dawson. She holds a BA in business and has worked in both the public and private sectors. She currently works with Extended University, UNM’s distance education unit. During a six-year sojourn in Spain she held positions with the Hallmark franchise and a major fashion promotion agency. Verónica has performed and taught Mexican folclórico and has stage managed bilingual theater productions. She first joined HWC in 1992 and was elected to the board in 2006. In 2008 she served as president. HWC is important to her especially because of its intergenerational nature, its cultural focus, and its potential to mentor.

Marlene Sena

is a native New Mexican who loves all of the seasons that our State has to offer. Marlene worked at Blue Cross and Blue Shield for 28 years, and has recently made a change. She is working for Healthways, as an Account Manager promoting the Silver Sneakers program, to help our senior community become healthier. She is excited to be a board member of HWC and looks forward to meeting our members.