Sydney Tellez, President
Sydney Tellez is an attorney and policy strategist in Albuquerque. A proud New Mexican and Emerge graduate (2018), she brings over a decade of experience in political strategy, community organizing, and legislative advocacy, with a focus on advancing an inclusive democracy and ensuring all voices have a seat at the table. Her work has supported efforts to elect historic candidates, expand access to reproductive healthcare, increase voter access statewide, and advance landmark policies like judicial public financing for district court candidates. She currently serves on multiple boards, including Faith Roots Reproductive Action, and as a commissioner on the New Mexico Advisory Committee to the U.S. Civil Rights Commission. She holds a BA and JD from the University of New Mexico and, outside of work, enjoys musical theater, exploring New Mexico’s mountains, and raising her three goofy animals.
Barbara Jordan, President-Elect
Rising out of a horribly abusive home and six foster homes, Barbara Jordan replaced bitterness with a loving generosity toward others. She scorned defeat to become very successful. She blocked hatred with an irrepressible spirit and an all-encompassing love for humanity. She became a warrior for justice, a protector of children, and a fierce advocate for the disenfranchised.
Barbara Jordan joined the United States Air Force in December of 1997 with only the clothes she had on. She faithfully served over 20 years with her top-secret security clearance. She retired as a Combat Veteran. She was embedded with the Explosive Ordinance Team (EOD) while serving in Afghanistan, She describes this time as one of the hardest but best times of her life. After serving four years in Alice Springs, Australia, New Mexico was her last assignment and is now the place she proudly calls home.
Barbara founded People Requiring Equality within Systemic Systems (PRESS) New Mexico which highlights the systems within systems of social injustice in New Mexico and abroad. Barbara is a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer, President, Sandoval County Federation of Democratic Women, a proud graduate of Emerge New Mexico class of 2021, and mother of one son, 16 Air Force children who call and know her as mom, and three fur babies.
Barbara put everything that she learned from Emerge New Mexico and ran a successful Mayoral campaign for the election held in March 2022, which advocated for integrity, transparency, and the mental health of our children. Although she did not win, she reenergized the community and primed them for the change they are seeking.
Barbara has the foresight to analyze problems and see solutions. She is a consensus builder who welcomes everyone’s ideas. She anticipates the needs of others and possesses the creativity to find ingenious solutions that work. She has a doggedness and tireless spirit. The bottom line is that Barbara sees and serves everyone.
Marsha Garcia, Past-President
Marsha has been working in communications and civic engagement in New Mexico for over a decade. She currently works with a cohort of nonprofit organizations that focus on reproductive justice in New Mexico as a strategic communications advisor and thought partner. Marsha also specializes in crisis communications strategy and management, as well as spokespeople and media response training. She has worked with the NM Speaker Of The House of Representatives and the NM House Democratic Caucus as their Communications Director, and has also worked with multiple successful local ballot initiative and congressional campaigns. Outside of her work Marsha serves on the Board of Directors of Crossroads For Women, a nonprofit organization that empowers local women to break the cycle of incarceration and addiction by providing them housing and therapeutic services when emerging from incarceration. She also serves on the Board of Directors of New Mexico Voices for Children, a nonprofit organization that works to create systems-level sustainable change to improve the status, well-being, racial and ethnic equity of New Mexico’s children, families, and communities through evidence-based advocacy.
Nora Sackett, Secretary
Kyra Ellis-Moore, Treasurer
Kyra Ellis-Moore grew up in Albuquerque and is a proud graduate of Albuquerque High and Amherst College. A member of the Emerge Class of 2017, Kyra is a political fundraiser and campaign manager who has raised millions of dollars for candidates at the state and federal level. A reader, dancer, and mom, Kyra is passionate about recruiting, training, fundraising for, and electing women to all levels of office across the state.
Whitney Holland
Whitney Holland earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education and Elementary Education from Western Washington University in June 2012. Shortly thereafter, she relocated from the Pacific Northwest to New Mexico.
Before assuming the role of president at the American Federation of Teachers-New Mexico, Whitney dedicated her time to teaching third grade in Los Alamos. During this period, she obtained her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, specializing in Literacy, from New Mexico Highlands University.
In July 2021, Whitney transitioned from the classroom to engage in full-time union work. She remains deeply committed to advocating for elementary education and actively seeks opportunities to discuss ways to support educators, parents, and communities in New Mexico.
Nayomi Valdez
Alexis Mena
Alexis is a law student at UNM School of Law, and will be graduating in December of 2022. Prior to law school, Alexis served as a political staffer and consultant for Democratic candidates across New Mexico, including campaigns to elect some of her fellow Emerge siblings. She was part of the 2018 Emerge class and has been involved with the program in various ways since then. She was born and raised in Albuquerque and is forever grateful for her Albuquerque Public School education and the community that has constantly supported her. She is passionate about helping women run for and win public office. Above all, she loves her baby kitties, Siren and Sage.
Randi McGinn
Mollie McGraw
Mollie C McGraw is a trial attorney who represents individuals and families harmed or who lost loved ones due to the wrongdoing of corporations, government entities, insurance companies and others. She is the founding partner of the law firm, McGraw & Associates, LLC d/b/a McGraw Law, LLC, which has offices in Las Cruces and Santa Fe. She is the former President of the New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association (NMTLA), and she serves on NMTLA’s Board of Directors to ensure access to justice for all New Mexicans. McGraw also serves on the Board of Directors for EmergeNM because she believes strongly in supporting and raising up women to encourage them to run for public office to ensure all voices and perspectives are represented in our legislature, judiciary and executive branches.
If you want more content for bio, see website: https://lawfirmnm.com/about/mollie-c-mcgraw/