The Top 50 Albuquerque Metro Women Leaders of 2026
Albuquerque’s influence-map doesn’t look like a single skyline dominated by one industry. It’s a braided ecosystem-national-security science, regulated infrastructure, healthcare delivery, education and workforce pipelines, and a fast-growing business services layer that helps everything else scale. The women leading here don’t just “run organizations.” They shape whether talent stays, whether businesses can expand, and whether communities can thrive across the metro.
This ranked list is an editorial snapshot based on publicly available information (as of February 2026). It’s not exhaustive, and “influence” is inherently multidimensional-measured here by scope of responsibility, convening power across sectors, and visible impact on the greater Albuquerque economy and civic life.
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#1 Patricia K. Collawn
In a metro where growth is constrained as much by infrastructure as by ideas, electric power is a “hidden” determinant of economic momentum. Pat Collawn’s long tenure at the utility parent company (formerly PNM Resources, now TXNM Energy) places her at the center of the region’s energy transition and reliability conversations-issues that ripple through housing, manufacturing recruitment, and cost-of-living pressures. Her leadership also lands in boardrooms and community tables where major capital plans are translated into regional confidence (or hesitation).
#2 Laura McGill
Few leadership roles touch Albuquerque’s high-skill labor market as directly as the director of Sandia. Laura McGill’s position influences not only a national-security mission, but also the region’s engineering and scientific talent magnetism, partnerships, and long-run innovation capacity. When Sandia expands programs, modernizes capabilities, or deepens collaboration, the spillover shows up locally-supplier ecosystems, career pathways, and the credibility Albuquerque carries with federal and industry partners.
#3 Michelle Lujan Grisham
Even when your focus is “metro,” many of the biggest constraints and opportunities run through Santa Fe: education funding, workforce investments, healthcare systems, and economic development priorities. Governor Lujan Grisham’s agenda materially shapes Albuquerque’s business climate-especially the policies that determine whether families can work, whether employers can hire, and whether public systems (schools, safety nets, health) keep pace with growth.
#4 Garnett S. Stokes
UNM is one of the region’s most important engines of talent, research, and institutional partnership-and the president’s office is where those levers converge. Garnett Stokes’ leadership has significance both symbolically (as UNM’s first woman president) and practically: the university’s direction affects local employer pipelines, research translation, and the broader brand Albuquerque projects to prospective students, faculty, and employers.
#5 Michelle Dearholt
Community financial institutions can be quiet “city builders,” influencing everything from small-business credit to household stability and community investment. As Nusenda’s President and CEO, Michelle Dearholt sits in a role that touches the daily financial lives of a large member base-while also shaping how capital and financial education can support workforce resilience and entrepreneurship across the metro.
#6 Janice Torrez
Healthcare affordability and access are business issues as much as personal ones-because benefits, provider networks, and preventive care shape whether a workforce can function. As president of BCBSNM, Janice Torrez influences the coverage dynamics that employers and families navigate every day. That makes her a key figure in the “operating environment” for nearly every sector in greater Albuquerque.
#7 Tracy Hartzler
If Albuquerque’s next chapter is built on talent retention and accessible pathways into middle-skill and high-skill careers, community college leadership is pivotal. As CNM’s president, Tracy Hartzler’s work shapes workforce readiness at scale-connecting learners to credentials and employers to pipelines. In a tight labor market, that alignment isn’t “nice to have”; it’s a core competitiveness lever for the region.
#8 Dr. Gabriella Durán Blakey
Long-term economic strength starts earlier than most business conversations admit. APS is New Mexico’s largest school district, and Superintendent Blakey leads an organization with enormous impact on workforce development, equity of opportunity, and family stability. Her emphasis on academic outcomes and systemwide coherence influences whether employers can hire locally, whether families choose to stay, and whether the city grows inclusively.
#9 Klarissa J. Peña
City Council leadership is where zoning, public safety strategy, housing policy, and major city investments collide-and those decisions determine how “business-friendly” a city feels in practice. As Council President, Klarissa Peña holds a convening role that can accelerate (or stall) the projects and policies that shape neighborhood vitality and economic development across Albuquerque.
#10 Adriann Barboa
When regional challenges become operational-behavioral health capacity, homelessness response coordination, public services funding-county government is often where the hard work lands. As Commission Chair, Adriann Barboa influences both budget priorities and cross-jurisdiction collaboration, making her role especially consequential in a metro that depends on functional “systems,” not just intentions.
#11 Kellie Mixon
Insurance leadership can sound abstract-until you realize how directly it affects small-business survival, safety culture, and the risk environment for growth. As CEO of the state’s largest workers’ compensation provider, Kellie Mixon’s influence touches a huge swath of employers, and her focus on service and innovation impacts the practical costs of doing business across the metro.
#12 Robin Divine
Diagnostics and lab systems are a backbone of healthcare delivery-critical in everything from preventive care to complex treatment. As TriCore’s President and CEO, Robin Divine leads an institution that supports providers and patients across the region, shaping turnaround times, operational quality, and the capacity of the broader healthcare ecosystem that employers rely on.
#13 Heather Thiltgen
In a region where healthcare access and affordability are constant concerns for employers and families, health-plan leadership matters. As President of Presbyterian Health Plan, Heather Thiltgen sits at a strategic intersection: benefits design, network decisions, and member experience-choices that influence employer competitiveness and household stability across the metro.
#14 Tracie Stratton
Hospital leadership is both human and operational: staffing, service lines, clinical quality, and financial sustainability all land on the CEO’s desk. Tracie Stratton’s role is especially visible through Lovelace Women’s Hospital-where women’s health services shape outcomes for families and workforce participation-while also steering the operational health of key facilities serving the metro.
#15 Marisa Magallanez
Philanthropy is often misunderstood as “nice” rather than strategic. In reality, community foundations shape what gets piloted, scaled, and sustained-especially when public systems are strained. Marisa Magallanez’s leadership influences how resources move to nonprofits and civic initiatives across the metro, and how donors coordinate around long-term community priorities.
#16 Terri L. Cole
Influence in a mid-sized metro often flows through conveners-the people who can align employers, policymakers, and community institutions around shared goals. Terri Cole’s long-running role at the Chamber has made her a central connector in Albuquerque’s business ecosystem, shaping advocacy priorities and helping translate business needs into public and civic action.
#17 Cynthia Schultz
Construction is where growth becomes real-or doesn’t. As CEO of Bradbury Stamm, Cynthia Schultz leads in a sector that directly affects Albuquerque’s development capacity, job creation, and built environment. Her influence shows up in the region’s ability to deliver projects efficiently and create pathways in the trades and construction management-critical for a metro facing housing and infrastructure demands.
#18 Ruth Huning-Gonzales
Women-owned leadership in construction and infrastructure has outsized cultural and economic significance-because it changes who gets to shape the physical city. Ruth Huning-Gonzales’ leadership at Huning, LLC matters both for the company’s footprint and for what it signals to emerging talent: that top-tier operational and project leadership can-and should-look more representative of the community Albuquerque serves.
#19 Melanie Stansbury
Federal decisions and funding streams directly affect local realities: infrastructure, environmental resilience, research support, and economic development. As the representative for NM-1 (centered in Albuquerque), Melanie Stansbury’s influence includes policy priorities and the practical work of advocating for district needs-helping determine what resources reach the metro and which long-term challenges get attention.
#20 Shuya Wei
Innovation economies aren’t built only by institutions; they’re built by people who translate research into real products and companies. Shuya Wei’s influence comes from operating at that intersection-advancing technical work while helping build a venture that signals Albuquerque can generate globally relevant materials and manufacturing innovation. That blend of academic credibility and commercialization is exactly what regions need to retain top talent.
#21 Sheila Mendez
Sheila Mendez modernizes the technology and security backbone that keeps critical utility services reliable for customers across New Mexico and Texas. Her long tenure and record of leading enterprise transformation demonstrate the strategic discipline and operational leadership that turn complex, high-risk initiatives into measurable business resilience.
#22 Chrisma Jackson
Chrisma Jackson safeguards one of the nation's most consequential research enterprises by directing cybersecurity and mission computing at Sandia and setting the standard for risk management at scale. Her leadership strengthens national security while building the next generation of cyber talent through mentorship and high-performance teams that keep innovation moving safely.
#23 Bethany Cannon
Bethany Cannon turns deep technical understanding into growth by connecting mission-critical needs with Akima's engineering and technology capabilities. By translating complex solutions into clear business value and trusted partnerships, she helps expand Albuquerque's footprint in high-impact federal innovation.
#24 Jennifer Sloane-Warren
Jennifer Sloane-Warren brings scientific rigor and strategic vision to Verus Research, guiding advanced technology work that supports demanding missions and accelerates innovation. Recognized as a 2025 New Mexico Women in Tech honoree, she also multiplies impact by mentoring others and strengthening the local pipeline of technical leaders.
#25 Tanya Chavez
Tanya Chavez leads technology strategy that helps Sunward deliver secure, modern financial services to a growing membership across the region. Her recognition as a New Mexico Women in Tech honoree reflects how she pairs operational excellence with inclusive leadership to build systems and teams that scale.
#26 Paula Morgan
Paula Morgan drives mission-focused modernization at the New Mexico Health Care Authority, using technology to make essential services easier for residents to access and navigate. By championing human-centered digital transformation and reliable infrastructure, she is improving customer experience and productivity while raising the standard for public-sector IT leadership.
#27 Celina Bussey
Celina Bussey advances workforce and labor solutions that help public programs run more effectively, bringing Deloitte's best practices to complex government challenges. Her ability to align stakeholders around practical, data-driven strategy translates into real outcomes for employers and workers across New Mexico.
#28 Debbie Harms
Debbie Harms has shaped Albuquerque's commercial landscape through decades of leadership in brokerage, development, and property management, helping businesses find the right spaces to grow. As a respected executive and community leader, she pairs market expertise with long-term vision that drives investment and strengthens the region's economic foundation.
#29 Kristin Leigh
Kristin Leigh has helped build Explora into a cornerstone institution by leading fundraising, operations, and community engagement that expand access to hands-on learning for families across Albuquerque. Her steady leadership behind transformative initiatives shows how mission-driven management can generate lasting educational and economic impact.
#30 Leean Kravitz
Leean Kravitz has been a key connector between business, community, and government, using decades of public affairs experience to elevate Albuquerque's competitiveness. Through her work at Fidelity Investments and civic leadership roles, she advances smart policy and partnerships that support job growth and long-term regional investment.
#31 Jessica Bundy
Jessica Bundy provides trusted financial leadership as a principal at REDW, guiding organizations through audit and risk work that strengthens governance and protects long-term value. Her recognition among top CPAs reflects a reputation for excellence and community engagement that elevates Albuquerque's business standards.
#32 Justine Deshayes
Justine Deshayes has made a measurable mark on Albuquerque's commercial landscape by pairing financial expertise with relationship-driven leadership in real estate lending. Her long record of service and professional recognition underscore how she uplifts peers and community organizations while delivering results for clients and investors.
#33 Michelle Donaldson
Michelle Donaldson leads one of New Mexico's most influential media organizations with a focus on credibility, community connection, and forward-looking strategy. By championing initiatives like youth literacy and civic engagement, she leverages the power of local journalism to create tangible impact beyond the newsroom.
#34 Monique Fragua
Monique Fragua stewards the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center with a rare combination of cultural leadership and operational excellence, strengthening a signature institution that supports Indigenous arts, education, and commerce. Her rise through key leadership roles reflects a commitment to sustainable growth that expands visibility and opportunity for the 19 Pueblos and the broader Albuquerque economy.
#35 Sue Leydig
Sue Leydig has built a standout mortgage career by guiding clients through complex decisions with clarity, empathy, and a solutions-first mindset. Her regional leadership helps more families and entrepreneurs access financing efficiently, translating personal service into meaningful growth for the housing and lending markets she serves.
#36 Amanda Scarano
Amanda Scarano has played a pivotal role in scaling Netflix's studio operations in Albuquerque, supporting an expansion that deepens the city's position as a major production hub. Her operational leadership turns big creative ambitions into reliable execution, bringing jobs, vendor opportunities, and long-term industry infrastructure to the region.
#37 Melanie Velasquez
Melanie Velasquez exemplifies modern banking leadership, rising through key commercial roles to guide New Mexico Bank and Trust with a growth-minded, relationship-driven approach. By supporting local businesses with strong financial strategies and accessible capital, she is helping strengthen Albuquerque's economic momentum.
#38 Heather Zschoche
Heather Zschoche brings an operations-focused perspective that connects manufacturing strategy with community prosperity at one of Albuquerque's most significant employers. Her leadership helps keep large-scale production competitive and sustainable, supporting quality jobs and a stronger, more diversified local economy.
#39 Margaret “Meg” Meister
Meg Meister has built an exceptional legal career advising businesses on complex real estate and commercial transactions with precision and trusted judgment. Her consistent professional recognition reflects expertise that helps companies close deals confidently, manage risk, and keep capital moving in New Mexico's economy.
#40 Samantha Adams
Samantha Adams is a respected litigator and managing partner who brings sharp strategy and steady advocacy to high-stakes business and employment matters. Her leadership helps clients resolve disputes efficiently, protecting organizations and enabling them to focus on growth and service to the community.
#41 Claudia Sanchez
Claudia Sanchez strengthens New Mexico Mutual's market leadership by integrating marketing, policyholder service, and operational improvement into a cohesive strategy. Her focus on service excellence and smart process innovation helps employers get dependable workers compensation support while improving efficiency and long-term performance.
#42 Joanie Griffin
Joanie Griffin has shaped how New Mexico organizations tell their stories by building SUNNY505 into a leading integrated communications firm serving business, government, and nonprofits. Her decades of brand and media expertise help clients earn trust, grow audiences, and turn strategic messaging into real-world results that benefit the regional economy.
#43 Lori Anne McBride
Lori Anne McBride brings deep, cross-industry leadership to workforce and labor solutions, helping employers solve talent challenges with practical, relationship-based strategy. Her ability to align people with opportunity makes a direct impact on business continuity and career growth across New Mexico.
#44 Kristin Garcia
Kristin Garcia blends marketing expertise with deep nonprofit development experience, helping organizations communicate their value and grow the support needed to deliver results. Her leadership within the Hispano Philanthropic Society reflects a commitment to turning community relationships into sustained philanthropic impact.
#45 Andrea Sisneros Wichman
Andrea Sisneros Wichman has expanded Albuquerque's tech talent pipeline by leading immersive training programs at CNM Ingenuity that translate skills into real jobs. Her award-recognized commitment to mentorship and wrap-around support ensures more women and career-changers can thrive, multiplying the economic impact of workforce development.
#46 Renée Grout
Renée Grout brings disciplined, community-focused leadership to Albuquerque's City Council, helping guide policy decisions that shape safety, infrastructure, and neighborhood vitality. By combining public service with a clear commitment to accountable governance, she contributes to a stronger business climate and higher quality of life for residents.
#47 Angela Serrano de Rivera
Angela Serrano de Rivera pairs strategic leadership in New Mexico's energy sector with hands-on community investment, helping drive initiatives that create long-term value and advance the region's transition to a lower-carbon future. Her recognition by the Hispano Philanthropic Society reflects a consistent pattern of excellence, delivering results at work while elevating leadership, opportunity, and service across Albuquerque.
#48 Jade Rivera
Jade Rivera is a visionary education leader whose work founding and leading Albuquerque Collegiate Charter School expands pathways to college and career success for students and families. Her philanthropy and civic involvement demonstrate a commitment to building opportunity at scale, with influence felt across classrooms, nonprofits, and the broader community.
#49 Beverlie Frazier
Beverlie Frazier advances community prosperity by leading philanthropic initiatives that elevate Hispanic leadership and connect donors to high-impact work across New Mexico. Her collaborative approach strengthens nonprofit capacity and helps ensure resources reach the people and programs that move the region forward.
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