Valerie Greif, Foster & Community Engagement Coordinator, CABQ Animal Welfare Department 
Drora Shub, Manager of Volunteer Engagement, Explora Science Center and Children’s Museum 
Chaplain Ryan Wooley, Director of Chaplaincy & Volunteer Services, Lovelace Medical Center

  The Office of Civic Engagement hosted the 2nd Volunteer Fest at the ABQ Museum on October 24. As part of that event we hosted a live recording of the podcast which was a panel discussion on Volunteer Connections. Here you’ll hear from three outstanding, local volunteer coordinators who have a deep understanding of their volunteers and share more about the work itself. Check out this special episode for a conversation among passionate individuals; we cover everything from favorite volunteer stories to the power of volunteers in community. As the host, I hope this episode increases our understanding of the pivotal role that volunteer coordinators themselves play. They are a critical part of our larger community resiliency. 

Jeff Holland, Executive Director, Endorphin Power Company

Jeff Holland, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, doesn’t need someone to give him a runway – he is always thinking ahead and working as a leader in the NM recovery community.

Two weeks into the opening of the Bernalillo County Recovery Support Center (BCRSC) on the EPC campus, Jeff welcomed our team to come in for our first on-site podcast recording. Thank you, Jeff!  *This is why you might hear motorcycles or airplanes in the background.

Jeff and his staff design programming around this driving force: EPC is the go-to for people to have a safe place to exhale and reshape their lives.

Jeff has been a part of the growth of the organization for 16 years and working in recovery for over 20. Even so, he says the work is not about him but about staff and residents.

In this convo, Jeff highlights that it’s more important to do [the work] right, than be in a rush. And through this perspective, EPC is still action-driven toward positive community impact and breaking down of walls and misunderstandings. EPC has a lot on the horizon – microenterprises, growth in programming and partnerships, residential space etc. It can be seen as an incubator, a microcosm of the real world where, as Jeff says about life, “you don’t ever arrive, you just evolve.”

This episode reflects how generous Jeff is in sharing his personal story and takes every advantage to lift up others. Check it out to learn more about how he accidentally get into cycling, how your organization might partner with EPC, and why lime green is the new IT color.

Check out the open house on Friday, September 26th 10-4PM.

@endorphinpowercompany

EndorphinPower.org

 Rebecca Sisneros, Community & Government Relations Director, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central NM

 As a young mom, Rebecca Sisneros focused on leveling up her skills and then sharing her insights with others. She’s researched the ins and outs of health care access, career readiness, and knows it’s important to be an advocate alongside others. Her favorite thing to do is connect people and resources, and it shows. Rebecca constantly shows up for others and works hard to lift up the voice of youth - she builds relationships around NM all so these folks can level up as well. Rebecca talks a bit about the new Teen Center, Youth of the Year leadership program, and the B&GC’s own podcast! She also gives us a beautiful perspective on how young folks can face challenges as well as how her own kids have helped in her success. Listen in to understand ~ why do something even if you feel silly, the value in challenging yourself, and why Rebecca celebrates the wins and does what she can to return the good she’s been given. https://www.bgccnm.org/ The Club Chat Podcast: https://clubcast.us/clubs/bgccnm North Valley Ditches: @n.v.d.505 

Tara Gohr, President/CEO, The Grant Plant

Aly Sanchez, Director of Strategy and Organizational Development

Tara Gohr and Aly Sanchez are part of the crew at the forefront of the grant writing world. They have about 50 years of experience between them in addition to the other 19 folks at The Grant Plant.

Tara and her sister, Erin O’Keefe Hielkema, started TGP in 2003 and since then it has been a central node of nonprofit and agency development across NM, having secured almost $4000 million for their clients!

Aly is a talented strategist and problem solver and has a knack for helping clients make cases and tell stories that only a seasoned grant writer-researcher-editor can.

This episode covered SO much about their incredible work on behalf of NM organizations - trainings, reports, innovations etc. You’ll see why these incredible women, at the end of the day, are standing up for their clients and encouraging folks to “plug into what you care about.”

You will also learn what the Mom Edit is, and, you have to know that they call a submitted grant “Planted.” On-point branding.

Highly encourage you to check out their website and subscribe to their very informative blog and grant opps: www.thegrantplantnm.com

Be sure to look at their upcoming trainings and take advantage of the Job Training ABQ: https://jobtrainingabq.org/

Report: Federal Funding Freeze on New Mexico’s Nonprofits and Philanthropic Sector: https://www.santafecf.org/news-stories/new-report-federal-funding-nm

Link to NYT article: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/06/us/new-mexico-federal-budget-cuts.html

 Diane Harrison Ogawa, Executive Coach As someone who lives in possibility, Diane Harrison Ogawa is the friend, colleague, coach we all need. This conversation was such a joy because Diane is a dynamic, hopeful, compassionate woman. She has decades of experience in corporate philanthropy and has used these opportunities to build new initiatives that many of us are still taking part in today. Diane shares how she is investing in others, continues her family’s legacy of being part of community and solution, and why being present makes the biggest difference in anything we do. Check out this episode to hear about Diane’s ability to imagine what could be and how ideas have their own time as well as the lessons to be learned in life’s transitions. From this convo I think you’ll see more possibility in your own life and our city. 

Jean Block, Nonprofit Consultant Extraordinaire

Jean Block has 55 years of experience in leadership and training within the national nonprofit sector.

What’s more – she’s been FUNdraising since she was 13, has published nine books and manuals, and doesn’t walk away from challenging work. Jean’s career has largely focused on supporting nonprofits through transition, be it evolving into social ventures to ensure their independence, or developing boards into high-functioning teams.

Though recently retired and tending to a robust garden, Jean continues to volunteer and support her greater community, inspiring many people to continue moving toward their purpose. In this episode, Jean shares about why we should be putting our energy where our hearts are, how nonprofits have an opportunity to change the game, and, I think, why we should be following her lead.

Check Amazon for her publications:

The Nonprofit Guide to Social Enterprise: Show Me The (Unrestricted) Money!

The Invisible Yellow Line: Clarifying Board and Staff Roles

FUNdraising!! 180+ Great Ideas to Raise More Money

Linley Daly is a leadership coach, consultant, and a darn joy to be around! In her coaching and consulting business, Linley’s currency is impact – she works for positive, long-lasting change for the social sector as a whole, individual leaders, and cohorts alike. In this conversation you’ll see that she asks the BIG questions, like, “if chaos rules, how can we create culture that is based in core values, vision, and mission?”

Given her broad range of experience, Linley knows to look at the larger systems and how utilizing the genius in the room, influencing women to stand up, and empowering nonprofits to use their voices can better address our societal challenges. Linley is a big believer in dialogue and the cumulative effect of small actions done in collaboration. Check out this episode to learn more about her relentless optimism and how she grounds herself to her purpose in ABQ and abroad.

Highly recommend reading her blogs at https://dalyconsulting.org/

Benjamin Tobias Manager of Student Basic Needs, CNM CC 

Benjamin Tobais has not only found community in ABQ but continuously works to build connections to support community. It’s something that comes easy to him – the compassionate and grateful Dad, the lifelong learner, the personable, kind leader. Ben understands the needs of students within the CNM community because he takes time to get to know them as he walks through campus or supports the weekly food pantries, where over 300+ folks visit across CNM campuses. A proud first gen student, Ben reminds us that representation matters, that advocating for what you are passionate about can create growth for your community, and that understanding someone’s unique story can provide a sense of belonging at the most important moments. In this episode you will find a new volunteer opportunity, learn more about food insecurity in community (58% of state-wide survey participants are food insecure combined with housing challenges), and discover why you need a recipe for chayote. 

Contact Ben: [email protected] 
Harwood Surface opening: https://www.harwoodartcenter.org/exhibitions/upcoming-exhibitions/ 
CNM food pantry distribution, wish list etc: https://www.cnm.edu/depts/dean-of-students/wellness-cnm 
Basic Needs Consortium data: https://basicneeds.unm.edu/ 

Tsiporah Nephesh, Founder and ED, NM Thrives

If you need a woman of deep compassion and wisdom, Tsiporah Nephesh is the friend to know. Tsiporah centers her work on relationships, on listening to the needs and goals of the NM nonprofit sector so she can both advocate for them and support them via education, resources, and connections. She created NM Thrives to uplift the vital work of nonprofits and did so in a way that also informs the larger community about how impactful these agencies are. We originally met to share her efforts at the 2025 legislative session and naturally ended up chatting about how we’re in the midst of societal change and how taking action, however small, is empowering. Check out this convo to learn more about resources available to nonprofits at NM Thrives, where to share your own stories of the impact from federal challenges, and why it’s important to be conscious of the expectations you put on yourself.

https://www.nmthrives.org/

https://nmdoj.gov/get-help/federal-disruptions/

https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/insights-analysis

Spelling: Tikkun Olam

Dr. Melani Buchanan Farmer: Director, Running 505; Founder & Owner of Bfit 505 and Aspen Education Collective

Dr. Farmer’s CV is extensive, and her passion for education and community run deep. In this episode Dr. Farmer shares how she came to be at the helm of several great programs here in Albuquerque, and what keeps her motivated to continuously look for collaborators in this good work. “Education is in my soul,” Dr. Farmer says, and you can see this in so many of the details of her life. Her dissertation research became a full-fledged 501c3, Running 505; her gym offers multi-faceted wellness programming to all ages and abilities; her consulting collective seeks to support adults in their personal and professional growth. Dr. Farmer’s perspectives on how individual wellness is integral to the well-being of the larger community, how “together, we can go so much further,” and why doing the Bataan Memorial Death March each year sends a powerful message of community support are each something we can learn from. If you missed the Speakeasy-themed gala for Running 505, you can learn more about all of Dr. Farmer’s work at running505.com You may even catch me at Bfit505 one day!

@running505 @bfit505