Executive Director

Alicia Borrego, a native New Mexican, grew up in the rural town of Española, where she helped run her family’s small shoe business. She moved to Albuquerque in 1995 to attend the University of New Mexico (UNM), earning her BA in 1999 with a double major in Southwest Studies and Political Science. In 2010, she graduated with her MBA from New Mexico Highlands University, where she was inducted into Delta Mu Delta. She later continued her professional development as a 2014–2015 Noyce Leadership Institute Fellow. Alicia has been recognized as the 2022 Executive of the Year by the New Mexico Society of Association Executives (NMSAE) and as a 2025 Diversity Business Leader honoree by Albuquerque Business First.

Alicia began her career in 1999 as HR Manager at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, where she later served as Deputy Director. After 15 years at the museum, she joined Explora Science Center & Children’s Museum in 2014 as Director of Administration & Operations, and subsequently became Senior Manager of Administration & Operations at the Flying Heritage Collection in Everett, WA. In 2016, she was named President & CEO of Economic Council Helping Others Inc. (ECHO Inc.) in Farmington, NM, where she oversaw emergency assistance programs, food banks, a preschool, and community partnerships serving low-income families. In September 2019, Alicia became Executive Director of the New Mexico Association for the Education of Young Children (NMAEYC).

Throughout her career in museums and nonprofits, Alicia has led community engagement initiatives, advanced fundraising efforts, and worked alongside communities to advocate for policies that support low-income families, early childhood education, and arts and culture.

Contractor: Social Media and Marketing Coordinator

Diego Borrego is from Espanola, New Mexico where he graduated from McCurdy Charter School. After high school, Diego moved to Las Vegas, New Mexico to study at New Mexico Highlands University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Human Performance in Sports, with a concentration in Exercise Science. Currently, Diego is still enrolled at New Mexico Highlands University where he is working on his masters degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. Diego is the Social Media Coordinator for the New Mexico Highlands Department of Business Administration. Diego currently interns with NMAEYC assisting with social media and marketing.

Contractor: Professional Development

MariaElena is Director and Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Programs at Northern New Mexico College. She is also an Independent Contractor with New Mexico Association for the Education of Young Children. Dr. Salazar has been a professional educator for 25 years, working with learners birth through doctoral level, and in many settings such as headstart. She has taught and supervised pre and in-service teachers across the state and in many settings (e.g., tribal, public, private) at NNMC, New Mexico State University, the University of New Mexico, and Espanola Public Schools. Areas of expertise include Early Childhood Education and Care, Multicultural Education, Teacher Preparation and Literacy. She enjoys cooking, eating, traveling, and spending time with her three amazing children, Lilia, Estela and Roman.

Contractor: Early Childhood Consultant

Board President

Kathy DeSoto-Strickland was born and raised in Grants, New Mexico where she resided until she and her husband moved to Aztec about two years ago. She has two grown children, Cara and J.E., and three grand dogs. She has been in education for over twenty years and has taught New Mexico Pre-K in Headstart and the public schools. She has a bachelors degree in Early Childhood Multicultural Education, a Masters degree in Special Education with a concentration in Early Childhood, and a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Early Childhood. She is an active member of the New Mexico Association for the Education of Young Children where she has had the honor of serving on the Board of Directors for the last 11 years. She currently holds the position of Board President. In her spare time she enjoys reading, boating, and spending time with her family.

Board President Elect

My name is Dr. Angela Redondo. I serve as an Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Multicultural Education and the Early Childhood Program Coordinator at New Mexico Highlands University. I was raised on a small ranch in central New Mexico and, after spending 16 years in Arizona, returned to live in the home where I grew up.

As a first-generation college graduate, I have dedicated my career to advocating for early childhood education and care. Over the years, I’ve held various roles in the field, including caregiver, early childhood educator, parent educator, parent, and instructional leader. I am married, with two adult sons and one dog.

I have been an active member of NMAEYC, regularly participating in the annual conference and leading the Northern PLI, which was held at NMHU. I am excited about the opportunity to serve as President-Elect because I am passionate about fostering connections, professional growth, advocacy, and collaboration among early childhood professionals. This role would allow me to help build stronger networks, share innovative practices and research, and amplify the diverse voices of early childhood professionals across New Mexico. I look forward to contributing to NMAEYC’s mission, continuing to grow as an early childhood advocate, and learning from others in the field.

VP of Public Policy

Treasurer

VP of Accreditation

VP of Research

VP of Professional Development

Secretary

Shara Foster serves as the Secretary of NMAEYC. Originally from Nebraska, she has called New Mexico home for the past nine years. With nearly 25 years of experience in early childhood education, Shara has worked in a variety of roles across the United States, following her husband’s career with the Air Force. She is passionate about ensuring that all children have access to high-quality early learning experiences and brings this dedication to her current role as an Early Childhood Instructional Coach with the CREC.

VP of Membership

Member at Large

Member at Large

Member at Large

Member at Large

Member at Large

Member at Large

Member at Large