Rick Quevedo
Desert View Family Services & Counseling
Desert View Family Services & Counseling
Jason Ramirez
Albuquerque Fire Rescue
Albuquerque Fire Rescue
Roman Romero
Clovis Police Department
Clovis Police Department
Dr. Magdalena (Soña) Saiz
NMPED-SSS
Magdalena Soña Alaniz Saiz is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Administration. Dr. Saiz has over 20 years of experience in multiple educational settings as a teacher, social worker and administrator. She currently serves as the Senior Manager of Safe and Healthy Schools Bureau for the New Mexico Public Education Department where she supports schools and districts throughout the state with securing and implementing whole health well-being efforts. In all her work, she strives to create systems that demand socially just and equitable practices for all students, families, and those who serve in educational settings throughout New Mexico.
NMPED-SSS
Magdalena Soña Alaniz Saiz is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Administration. Dr. Saiz has over 20 years of experience in multiple educational settings as a teacher, social worker and administrator. She currently serves as the Senior Manager of Safe and Healthy Schools Bureau for the New Mexico Public Education Department where she supports schools and districts throughout the state with securing and implementing whole health well-being efforts. In all her work, she strives to create systems that demand socially just and equitable practices for all students, families, and those who serve in educational settings throughout New Mexico.
Mike Schum
Albuquerque Fire Rescue
Albuquerque Fire Rescue
Allison Stoner
Las Cruces Fire Department (LIGHT Program)
Las Cruces Fire Department (LIGHT Program)
Anna Strauss
Aztec High School
Aztec High School
Brooke Tafoya
PED
Brooke Tafoya is currently the Behavioral Health Coordinator for the New Mexico Public Education Department, bringing over twenty years of experience in working with young people, leading teams, and driving system-level changes. Ms. Tafoya’s career is distinguished by her commitment to creating impactful, trauma-responsive environments that support the well-being and development of young people and the professionals who support them.
Previously, Ms. Tafoya served as the Chief Executive Officer of New Day Youth & Family Services in Albuquerque. In this role, she led efforts to transform organizational culture and develop innovative strategies tailored to the needs of adolescents and transition-aged young people facing homelessness and systemic challenges, including those in child welfare and juvenile justice. Her approach emphasized strengths-based interventions and developmental readiness, breaking from conventional models to create a more supportive and responsive environment. Additionally, she developed professional training plans and models to build the capacity and readiness of young professionals and developing leaders.
Ms. Tafoya's background includes significant work in violence and bullying prevention with Albuquerque Public Schools and the Illinois Center for Violence Prevention. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to system transformation and fostering healing spaces where youth, families, and professionals are recognized and celebrated.
An Advanced Trainer in the Nurtured Heart Approach, Ms. Tafoya is passionate about highlighting and nurturing the inherent strengths in every individual. Her early inspiration in social services began in her hometown of Farmington, NM, leading her to pursue a career in social work.
Ms. Tafoya holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology/Anthropology from Principia College and a Master of Social Work from Washington University in Saint Louis.
PED
Brooke Tafoya is currently the Behavioral Health Coordinator for the New Mexico Public Education Department, bringing over twenty years of experience in working with young people, leading teams, and driving system-level changes. Ms. Tafoya’s career is distinguished by her commitment to creating impactful, trauma-responsive environments that support the well-being and development of young people and the professionals who support them.
Previously, Ms. Tafoya served as the Chief Executive Officer of New Day Youth & Family Services in Albuquerque. In this role, she led efforts to transform organizational culture and develop innovative strategies tailored to the needs of adolescents and transition-aged young people facing homelessness and systemic challenges, including those in child welfare and juvenile justice. Her approach emphasized strengths-based interventions and developmental readiness, breaking from conventional models to create a more supportive and responsive environment. Additionally, she developed professional training plans and models to build the capacity and readiness of young professionals and developing leaders.
Ms. Tafoya's background includes significant work in violence and bullying prevention with Albuquerque Public Schools and the Illinois Center for Violence Prevention. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to system transformation and fostering healing spaces where youth, families, and professionals are recognized and celebrated.
An Advanced Trainer in the Nurtured Heart Approach, Ms. Tafoya is passionate about highlighting and nurturing the inherent strengths in every individual. Her early inspiration in social services began in her hometown of Farmington, NM, leading her to pursue a career in social work.
Ms. Tafoya holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology/Anthropology from Principia College and a Master of Social Work from Washington University in Saint Louis.
Rocky Torres
Farmington High School
Rocky Torres has served as the principal of Farmington High School for the last four
years. He was also the principal of Vista Nueva High School in Aztec, NM and a high
school math teacher. He is passionate about providing systems of support within
schools to benefit students and staff. In his time at FHS, the school has improved and
maintained an 86% graduation rate.
Farmington High School
Rocky Torres has served as the principal of Farmington High School for the last four
years. He was also the principal of Vista Nueva High School in Aztec, NM and a high
school math teacher. He is passionate about providing systems of support within
schools to benefit students and staff. In his time at FHS, the school has improved and
maintained an 86% graduation rate.
James Vautier
Poms & Associates, LLC
Poms & Associates, LLC
Devin Verhulst
Central Consolidated School District
Central Consolidated School District
Sean Wallace
Albuquerque Police Department
Albuquerque Police Department
Darron Walter
POMS and Associates
Darron Walter is a Safety and Security Consultant for POMS and Associates. Darron served for 29 years in law enforcement with both the Albuquerque Police Department and in Colorado with the Arvada Police Department. During his tenure Darron worked in several different areas to include, Patrol, School Resource Officer, Detective, Training Officer, and Explosives Ordnance Disposal. Darron obtained his master’s degree in emergency management and homeland security from Arizona State University in 2022. In his free time Darron enjoys travel, the outdoors, and weekends boating.
POMS and Associates
Darron Walter is a Safety and Security Consultant for POMS and Associates. Darron served for 29 years in law enforcement with both the Albuquerque Police Department and in Colorado with the Arvada Police Department. During his tenure Darron worked in several different areas to include, Patrol, School Resource Officer, Detective, Training Officer, and Explosives Ordnance Disposal. Darron obtained his master’s degree in emergency management and homeland security from Arizona State University in 2022. In his free time Darron enjoys travel, the outdoors, and weekends boating.
Kadin Wilmer
Aztec High School
Aztec High School
April Kateri Chavez
WestEd
WestEd