The ABQ Accent

Secretary of State, Maggie Toulouse Oliver

Leading with dedication, integrity, and a sense of humor, Madam Secretary has seen it all.

She has been overseeing election administration statewide since 2016 and deeply understands the importance of being an engaged citizen.

Reaching multiple generations of voters requires a range of outreach initiatives, for which she partners with 33 County Clerks across NM.

The recent MIT Election Performance Index reports that NM currently holds the best election policies (nationwide!) for secure, accessible, efficient, and informative processes. Secretary Toulouse Oliver says, “this is like winning an Oscar… and there’s always more work to do to continue honing it in.”

Our conversation ranged from the fact that early voting is already seeing a record turnout, to understanding what it takes to emphasize voter experience as a priority, to the lengths NM officials will go to ensure that victims of domestic violence can safely participate in our democratic processes (see Safe at Home).

Madam Secretary took the time to give credit where it is due her colleagues, and highlights election officials in Roswell in particular, a city which is dealing with a recent flood but keeping the voting locations open. She also reminds us that polling volunteers are an all-parties set of folks, taking time to ensure voter experience in NM continues to be top tier.

She shared that age-old election myths are debunked via Trusted Information 2024, and also that citizens can utilize our County Clerk’s office if we have questions about the process.

Madam Secretary wants voters to take time to look at your sample ballot and make a plan to vote early (anywhere  in your county) - avoid the lines. Election day is the last chance to vote! She also reminds us to believe in the power of our vote! It is no simple thing.

You can still register to vote at any polling location in your county.

November 5th is around the corner!

Sos.nm.gov is an “encyclopedia” and worth the look.

Nmvote.org – voter information portal

MIT report: https://elections.mit.edu/#/data/rank

Sila Avcil, Co-Founding ED for NM Voters First and ED for NM Open Elections

In a the lively pro-democracy elections conversations, Sila Avcil is a stand-out. Her unique background and deep knowledge of the topic are reflected by her beautiful articulation and sense of positivity. Our time together brought out some of the most important pieces of election processes as a whole, and the importance of every-day citizens taking part in these activities – elections lead to real impacts in people’s lives. In her role to foster better representation, Sila is working to educate both electeds and community members about the benefits of open primaries, ensuring that more eligible voters take part in elections and are knowledgeable about how to otherwise get involved. Check out this interview to learn more about Sila’s long-term vision, why NM is part of a historic moment in election history, and how YOU can advocate for causes close to your heart. Afterall, it’s YOUR voice that needs to be heard.

Nmvotersfirst.org

Nmopenelections.org

https://www.nmlegis.gov/

https://www.sos.nm.gov/

Lindsey Kay, VP of Client Services, WESST Dog lover, avid reader, problem solver.

Lindsey Kay is someone we’d all want in our corner, and not just because she’s incredibly hard working. Lindsey is rooted in her values. As newly-minted VP of Client Services at WESST, Lindsey takes the time to get to know business owners and consultants alike; she knows the importance of understanding their stories and backgrounds. These are likely the kind of reasons as to why she’s been recognized so many times for her unique innovations and leadership in her previous role as founder and ED of Paws and Stripes. The internationally-known organization she started in 2010 arose out of her recognition of a distinct need in the veteran and caregiving worlds. Under her leadership of 14 years, Paws evolved from knowing first and foremost that “a dog can help” to providing holistic and trauma-informed relationship building between human and dog, organization and survivor community - the ones “who get it.” Currently Lindsey is processing this big life change with deep gratitude, and welcoming new challenges and small wins. Check out this conversation to learn more about her and WESST’s creative responses to the needs of businesses and community, and to hear Lindsey’s guidance for others who are seeking to problem solve in their own arenas. 

https://www.wesst.org/

https://www.pawsandstripes.org/

Matt Carter, Project Planner, CABQ Public Art Program

Coming up among a family mixed with corporate work and musicians, one might better understand where the breadth of Matt’s talents come from.

He’s honed his talents through hard work, deep creativity, and on the ground relationships in the arts community.

As a glass blower and ceramicist, Matt understands the creatives he works with both within museum settings and out in the very public wilds.

With an office directly behind the new Gallery One at City Hall, Matt curates through partnership and vision. He manages the care of over 1800 objects in the CABQ Public Art collection an supports several boards plus Public Art projects. He’s seen it all – and is asking big questions.

What is Public Art in our county and how can we ensure equity in incorporation of the wider art collection?

How can his work help emerging artists get their art/vision viewed through bureaucratic systems?

Check out Matt’s interview to learn more about how you can get involved in the arts programs, how time outdoors helps him recharge, and what helmet confessions are.
What you’ll find is that kindness goes a long way.

https://www.cabq.gov/artsculture/public-art/public-art

https://www.cabq.gov/artsculture/public-art/podcast

Tina Garcia-Shams, Street Food Institute ED

With a bit of curiosity, a commitment to a vision, and being true to yourself, you can get a lot of work done. Tina Garcia-Shams is an excellent example of a local who pairs her love of community with hard work; she understands what it takes to build a start up with a unique vision into a sustainable organization. As ED of the Street Food Institute (SFI), Tina takes joy in seeing the success of her students, and now gets to enjoy the expansion of the SFI. Check out this conversation to learn more about the work that is going into the coming Barelas Community Kitchen, how Tina believes food is “the equalizer,” and how you might also enjoy collaborating with Tina and her crew.

https://streetfoodinstitute.org/

Kristi Dorr, ED of Groundworks NM

A compassionate advocate for community-based solutions, Kristi is a joy to chat with. She smiles through her stories and encourages us to reimagine the power of coming together under shared purpose.

Understanding Kristi is to realize a multidisciplinary framework for approaching leadership and advocacy. She believes we can and should show up as we are to use our personal strengths toward a greater community purpose.

Kristi and her staff are working to de-silo the work within our state’s social sector in a way that builds sustainable collaborations and utilizes all resources at hand.

Check out this conversation to learn more about Kristi’s systems approach, upcoming conference info, and how you/r organization can benefit from partaking in the spaces Groundworks is providing.

Also, this is a friendly reminder to trust in community vision… and visit your local library.

https://www.groundworksnm.org/

https://www.visittrinity.ie/book-of-kells-experience/

https://artesianm.gov/146/Library

Cristina Rogers

ED, Barelas Community Coalition & Mainstreet Program

Cristina is a worldly, entrepreneurial-minded Creative at heart. While she now focuses her energy on Barelas, a community at “the forefront of change,” she herself is a front runner in the creative world. Her background in historic preservation and community development, casting, and large-scale facilitation has enabled her to see the future, if you will. Cristina understands what is ahead of her community, and works to leverage the power of culture and creativity to enable those around her to realize stability and flourish. Yes, she’s that wonderful. Check out this conversation for more insight on her perspective… and how silk pillow cases played a role in her trajectory.

For info on activities in the Barelas community or to reach out directly: [email protected]

Stephanie Becker, ED & Superintendent of Amy Biehl High School

Why should community service be a joyful experience? Stephanie Becker shares her thoughts on how and why we can be more engaged in our community, starting with the fact that service is integral to personal introspection (and a priceless experience for youth at Amy Biehl High). As ED and Superintendent of ABH going on 15 years, Stephanie provides opportunities for students to academically reengage in non-traditional, long-lasting ways while also taking part in  and encouraging deliberate organizing for a more vibrant Downtown ABQ. In this convo she shares why working at ABH was meant to be, and how deep and abiding relationships lead not only to richer lives, but impactful work in our greater community.

Ramiro Estrada Peer Support Specialist, ACS

How does one know they are on the right path? In speaking with Ramiro, we come to find our purpose when we witness the positive outcomes of trust-based relationships… he sees the power of honoring his lived experience to support others in their personal journeys. The Violence Intervention Program out of the ABQ Community Safety department is built toward prevention and public health; the Peer Support Specialists approach the work with the understanding that peers with similar lived experience can relate more deeply and quickly to another’s situation. As a Peer Support Specialist, Ramiro and his colleagues reach out directly to youth and those who are at risk of or have experienced gun violence. He meets people in the middle of traumatic experiences and first and foremost, recognizes the value in their humanity. Ramiro’s passion for planting the seed of possibility and opportunity in others is driving his impact, and he believes in using the tools at hand to create positive messaging. Check out this wonderful convo to learn more. And, if you can, call your mom. Learn more here: https://www.cabq.gov/acs/violence-prevention-and-intervention/vip 

Agnes Vallejos is a story teller with big dreams for those of us LIVING in ABQ. She looks for the moments when opportunities and needs align so can continue supporting a thriving city for our intergenerational population. She challenges us to check our internalized ageism, believe in the strength of a multigenerational workforce, and give back outside of work. Check out this conversation with Agnes to learn more about the smile curve of lifetime happiness, why she enjoys researching housing models, and ultimately why ABQ is a community for a lifetime. The older adult in you will appreciate it.

*Celestite stone on loan from The Bloomstone.