Presenter Information

Alejandra Casarrubias, BSN RN, Clinical Manager at Casa de Salud Clinic and Clinical SANE specialist with Albuquerque SANE Collaborative. She has been a registered nurse in New Mexico since 2011. She is a bilingual nurse examiner helping survivors of trauma and assisting them with their path of recovery. She is also the clinical manager at Casa de Salud Clinic supporting monolingual Spanish speakers and some of the most vulnerable populations in Albuquerque.

Case Review: Challenges and Resilience

Angelia Parent has delivered survivor-centered services with Affirming Heart Victim Services since 2015, when she began as a Forensic lnterviewer and became a trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) in 2016.

She currently serves as the South Eddy County Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Response Team (DSART) Facilitator and is an active member of the South Eddy County Child Abuse Response Team (CART). She also strengthens SANE program development response capacity as the Forensic Nursing Specialist with NMCSAP.

Implementing a Domestic Violence Enhanced Response Team (DVERT) in Rural Communities

Anne (Martha) Wood Kelly has worked for over 20 years at the New Mexico Attorney General's office, first as a staff attorney, then as Director of the Criminal Appeals division, and finally Chief Deputy of Criminal Affairs. She has a lot of experience in appellate work and is an integral part of NMCSAP's Prosecution Mentoring Project.

Supporting Every Link: How the Prosecution Mentoring Project is Building High-Quality and Healthy Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Prosecutors in New Mexico

Anushah Jiwani is a consultant and facilitator skilled in crafting compelling narratives, cultivating collaborations, and leading equity-centered programs. They offer support for groups who want to explore alternate forms of healing and center transformative values in all their practices.

They have served as regional chair for Kundiman, an organization for Asian American Pacific Islander writers, have recieved a fellowship from Queer Crescent, centered on political organizing and somatics, and hold a certification from W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Coaching for Equity & Transformation Program.

Reimagining Justice: Survivor-Centered Approaches to Sexual Harm

Cathy Cave has decades of experience as an administrator, facilitator and consultant specializing in creating supports that are accessible, culturally responsive, and trauma informed. She is focused on organizational development, supervisory practice, and leadership coaching within education, domestic and sexual violence, child welfare, juvenile, justice, disaster response, peer support,

We, Me and Healing Us

Chearie Alipat is the Prevention and Healing Coordinator at NMAFC and board Vice-President of the Filipino American Foundation of NM.

Born in Manila, Philippines, she is the eldest daughter of four children from a first generation immigrant nurse and an overseas contract worker. She is a proud mom of two biracial and bicultural children.

She has lived experience as a survivor who now finds her voice through advocacy and educating with cultural humility.

She continues to learn, and to explore intersectionality of the work of antiracism in addressing domestic violence and sexual assault while balancing the intentional work for survivors to meaningful access to joy, to rest, and to healing practices that everyone deserves.

Kapwa Care and Ilaw: Finding the Light in Creating Community Care and Healing Spaces

Bio TBA

Diana Hernández is a bilingual Licensed Professional Counselor with over 12 years of experience in the mental health field and more than 6 years as a licensed psychotherapist. She has worked in community health services, providing support to vulnerable populations such as uninsured individuals, immigrants, refugees, Spanish-speaking families, domestic violence survivors, and people with addiction issues.

She has received training in suicide prevention and intervention, polyvagal theory interventions, and sandtray therapy. Additionally, she is a certified “Circle of Security” program facilitator and an EMDR trained therapist.

Her approach is based in compassion, authenticity, and self-reflection. She firmly believes that all people possess inner wisdom, but that it is necessary to cultivate self-compassion and understanding to access it.

Awakening the Trickster Archetype Energy in You for a more Authentic & Joy-Fully Life

Donna Marie Lucero is a native New Mexican born and raised in Albuquerque with well over 30 years’ experience. Her career has focused on working with and for kids and families who have experienced trauma, mental health issues, poverty, and adversity.

She believes strongly in the critical importance of family, community and social support, healthy relationships, movement, music, nature, and activity in helping people heal, grow and thrive.

Attuned to the Rhythm! The Roots of Rhythm, Regulation, and Connection

Meghna Bhat, Ph.D., is a California‑based gender and social justice consultant, multidisciplinary artist, storyteller, and feminist scholar. Born in Mumbai and shaped by her experiences as a first‑generation South Asian immigrant and survivor, she has spent 20+ years advancing anti‑gender‑violence work through research, training, community education, and culture change.

A 2022 Seeding Creativity grant recipient, she created Gulabi Stories: A South Asian Healing Initiative, an interdisciplinary storytelling project uplifting diaspora narratives. She uses personal and community stories to spark dialogue, shift culture, and support decolonized narrative change.

I Belong Here: Using Storytelling as Restorative Community-based Approaches to Intergenerational Healing

Elijah Valdez is the founder of Equity & Impact Consulting and Deaf and disabled advocate, trainer, and workshop facilitator specializing in trauma-informed, Deaf-affirming anti-violence advocacy and response.

As a Deaf wheelchair user and survivor, Elijah brings both lived and professional experience to his work, supported by academic training in psychology, social justice, and human rights. He has facilitated workshops for advocates, service providers, and national audience focused on strengthening violence prevention, response, and healing through accessibility, cultural respect, and community care.

Beyond Silence: Deaf Survivors, Sexual Violence, and the Power of Being Seen

For most of the last 20 years, Captain Eric Threlkeld has advised police and community members on domestic abuse investigations and community-based approaches. Captain Threlkeld spent 7 years as a police officer and adviser with the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Armenia.

Captain Threlkeld owns and operates Safe Horizon Strategies LLC, a company that trains and advises on multi-disciplinary approaches to domestic violence and sexual assault. Currently, Captain Threlkeld leads the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office Detective Division and is a District Court-recognized subject matter expert on the signs and symptoms of non-fatal strangulation and domestic violence.

Implementing a Domestic Violence Enhanced Response Team (DVERT) in Rural Communities: A Blueprint for Coordinated Safety and Accountability

Fidel Ramirez Ortiz is a bilingual counselor and founder of Ea, Buen Camino, where he supports individuals navigating complex trauma, grief, cultural transitions, identity development, and major life changes. He holds a Therapeutic Massage Certificate from New Mexico School of Natural Therapeutics and is a Reiki Level II practitioner. His clinical work integrates Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), strength-based perspectives, and body–mind practices within a trauma-informed and culturally responsive framework. Known for his calm, grounding presence, he creates a respectful and collaborative space where clients reconnect with their resilience and move toward healing with dignity and authenticity.

Awakening the Trickster Archetype Energy in You for a more Authentic & Joy-Fully Life

Heather has over 20 years of professional experience working with diverse student populations in sexual health, student conduct and civil rights violations. She is currently the Director of Equal Opportunity Services and Title IX for Albuquerque Public Schools. She has previously served as the Title IX Coordinator for the University of New Mexico and as the Sexual Misconduct Program Manager and Investigator at the University of Michigan. Throughout these roles, she has guided multiple institutions through the Title IX changes from the 2011 Dear Colleague Letter, the 2020 and the 2024 regulatory changes and watched so many lawsuits become case law throughout the country.

Preventing Sexual Violence Begins in Education

Bio TBA

Sex Ed as Sexual Violence Prevention: Why sexuality education is imperative to violence prevention programs (and how to begin!)

Jacinda Tafoya is an enrolled member of the Jicarilla Apache Nation in Dulce, NM. Jacinda is half Jicarilla Apache, Ohkay Owingeh, and Laguna Pueblo. She has her Bachelor Degree in Psychology and a Master Degree in Counseling from UNM and focused on trauma related therapies. She has been working with the Jicarilla Behavioral Health Department for 5 years. She integrated her counseling skills as well as her trauma focused studies to teach domestic violence classes and Women's Support Groups. She assists survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence in finding resources for healing traumas they have endured. She is currently the Director for Jicarilla Behavioral Health Department where she oversees seven essential programs.

Developing and Sustaining Tribal Dual DV/SA Program

Jennifer has 20 years of experience working with students in both K-12 arena and the adult vocational learning arena. For 11 years Jennifer managed and directed at two massage schools in Albuquerque where she had to educate herself on compliance for educational institutes. Since starting at Albuquerque Public Schools in 2016 she has worked in Employee Relations managing staff discipline at the highest level. In 2021 Jennifer moved in the Equal Opportunity Services Department where she continues to build her knowledge and experience in educational compliance. Jennifer brings a different approach to compliance work with a emphasis on neutral empathy, connection and heart.

Preventing Sexual Violence Begins in Education

Joyce Prusak is a Training Specialist with Western Regional Children’s Advocacy Center (WRCAC). She provides training and technical assistance focused on multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) and strengthening the children’s advocacy centers. She works collaboratively on training and resources for MDT facilitators through WRCAC’s partnership with Regional Children’s Advocacy Centers across the country. Joyce has worked in the child advocacy field since 2007. She served as executive director of the Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center for over 15 years. During that time, she also served as Chair of the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Tennessee as well as interim director of the TN chapter.

Working Together for Children & Families: Understanding the MDT & Core Components of Engaged Teams

Lisa Trabaudo has over 30 years of experience. She started as an Assistant District Attorney and eventually became the Deputy District Attorney for the Crimes Against Children Division in the Second Judicial District. She's currently working as a contract attorney in the Second's Special Victim's Unit, helping to clear the rape kit backlog cases. Lisa is an integral part of NMCSAP's Prosecution Mentoring Project.

Supporting Every Link: How the Prosecution Mentoring Project is Building High-Quality and Healthy Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Prosecutors in NM

Sexual Assault Exam Kit Backlog

Maryann is a long-time SANE nurse who got her origins and training here in the state of NM. She was employed with both the Albuquerque SANE Collaborative and UNM Para Los Ninos. She was privileged to care for and learn from many patients in both settings. Currently is a practicing SANE in Taos and the Medical Director for Valencia Shelter Services. Her full time job with the VA Medical Center in Albuquerque where she works with the residency program, Emergency department and as a Military Sexual Assault Coordinator. She is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner interested in both recovery and prevention work.

What You May Not Know About Military Sexual Trauma

Orvie B. Baker, Jr. is a Chicago Native who moved to Louisiana at an early age and joined the Army after High School. He attended the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI) and became an Army Equal Opportunity Advisor (EOA).

In 2005, he deployed to Iraq as an EOA and, upon his return, transitioned to a Sexual Harassment/Assault Response & Prevention (SHARP) Instructor working to certify Victim Advocates and Sexual Assault Response Coordinators for the Army. Most recently, Mr. Baker served as the 127th Wing SAPR Program Manager at Selfridge and was instrumental in standing up the 127th Wing Airmen Wellness Center.

Mr. Baker is a proud member of the NM National Guard and serves as the SHARP Coordinator. He is also the President of The Einmalig Group, LLC Consulting where he specializes as a guest speaker, educator and in climate assessments of workplace areas.

Twenty Years of SAPR in the Army

Rebecca Servoss is has been supporting families professionally since 2008. She is a birthworker, a Certified Neonatal Nurse, Board Certified Holistic Nurse Coach, Perinatal Mental Health Advocate and Pregnancy and Infant Loss (PAIL)Advocate, and also serves as a helpline responder for the New Mexico Sexual Assault Helpline.
She is passionate about resourcing both families and caregivers who are experiencing grief and loss, and has served on the Neonatal Bereavement Committee at Rush University Medical Center and University of New Mexico Hospital. Rebecca is the co-founder of Marigolde, LLC, a nurse led grief wellness platform rooted in storytelling, culture and rituals.

Journaling for Grief: Connecting to the Body, Emotions and Culture

Savannah Holden was raised in Northampton, Massachusetts and has called Northern New Mexico home for the last eleven years. She was raised by a mother who designed sex-ed curricula for people with intellectual disabilities for a living, so it is no surprise she ended up here! She began her work life in the restaurant industry for several years before studying community health and eventually working in maternal health education at Holy Cross Hospital in Taos. In 2023 she became the Outreach and Prevention Coordinator for Community Against Violence in Taos, and since then has helped create 5 different sexual and domestic violence prevention curriculums. Savannah lives Taos County with her husband and two daughters.

Sex Ed as Sexual Violence Prevention: Why sexuality education is imperative to violence prevention programs (and how to begin!)

Dr. Dugan is a Board Certified Pediatrician, Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Child Abuse Pediatrician, Adult/Pediatric Forensic Medical Examiner, and Medical Director of Alaska CARES. His areas of expertise include child and family maltreatment, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), physical, sexual, and emotional child abuse, neglect, domestic violence, strangulation, traumatic brain injury, elder abuse, and human trafficking. In his role at Alaska CARES, Dr. Dugan provides consultation and clinical guidance to medical teams across the state of Alaska regarding the evaluation and management of children with concerns for abuse or unexplained injuries. Dr. Dugan is a clinical researcher, having published on the topics of strangulation and anoxic brain injury, and previously served as the Medical Director of the California State Forensic Medical Training Programs. He has testified as an expert in multiple states and has conducted numerous training courses worldwide.

Pediatric Strangulation and Anoxic Brain Injury

Sebastian is disability strategist, facilitator, and capacity builder.  A 2019 recipient of a Soros Justice Fellowship they founded and now work as Senior National Organiser of the Disability Project (DP) @ TLC, Sebastian was raised in Yorkshire, UK and  informed by white working-class racial justice values along with coming of age in the pushback to Thatcher’s Britain. Sebastian is passionate about the validity of disabled life, our right to bodily autonomy and the critical, strategic need for disabled/ Deaf leadership in justice movements that hope to win. Sebastian works to highlight the exclusion, criminalization and exploitation, experienced by disabled communities; particularly those living at the forefront of disposability and the crosshairs of eugenics and state control. They have worked to insert and reveal disability justice strategies in multiple movements, while supporting multi - issue capacity in disability communities for over three decades.

Invalid Survivors & Incredible Witnesses

Sharnen is an enrolled member of the Jicarilla Apache Nation in Dulce, NM. Sharnen is half Navajo from Hogback and half Jicarilla Apache from Dulce. Sharnen holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree and Master of Social Work degree from NMHU. She has provided direct client services for Jicarilla Behavioral Health Department since 2015. She is the Domestic Violence Program Manager that oversees domestic violence, sexual assault, prevention and crisis interventionist programs. In 2019, she was appointed as a representative by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham as a member of the New Mexico Missing and Murdered Indigenous Task Force. She is also a member of the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) that communicates with other local professionals who work to coordinate an immediate, quality, victim-centered response to sexual assault. Sharnen found her passion in giving a voice to victims and survivors in her community. Sharnen is a current Board Member for the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women. When she is not busy, she enjoys taking road trips, cooking, concerts, and her love of hiking.

Developing and Sustaining Tribal Dual DV/SA Program

Susan Stinson has over a decade as a prosecutor, starting as an Assistant District Attorney and eventually becoming the Chief Deputy District Attorney for the First Judicial District.

Supporting Every Link: How the Prosecution Mentoring Project is Building High-Quality and Healthy Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Prosecutors in NM