Executive Director

Alicia Borrego is a native New Mexican, where she grew up helping run her family’s small shoe business in the small, rural town of Espanola. In 1995 she moved to Albuquerque to attend the University of New Mexico (UNM). She graduated from UNM in 1999 earning her BA with double major in Southwest Studies and Political Science.  In 2010, she graduated Delta Mu Delta, from New Mexico Highlands University Graduate School of Business earning her MBA. Alicia continued her professional development as a 2014-2015 Noyce Leadership Institute Fellow. She is the 2022 Executive of the Year by the NMSAE.

Alicia began her career at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science in 1999 as the HR Manager, later becoming the Museum’s Deputy Director in 2008. After working for 15 years at the Natural History Museum, in October 2014, Alicia joined Explora Science Center & Children’s Museum as the Director of Administration & Operations, and later became the Senior Manager of Administration & Operations at the Flying Heritage Collection in Everett, WA. In December 2016, Alicia was named President & CEO of the Economic Council Helping Others Inc. (ECHO Inc.) in Farmington, NM. While at ECHO, Alicia ran several emergency assistance programs, food banks, a preschool and formed several partnerships that assisted low income communities. Alicia ultimately became the Executive Director of New Mexico AEYC in September 2019.

In her many years working in museums and non-profits, Alicia spearheaded many important community engagement initiatives, actively fundraising, working alongside the community in advocating for various policy affecting 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

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

VP of Membership

Member at Large

Member at Large

Member at Large

Member at Large

Member at Large

Member at Large

Member at Large