Commission Staff

Kristin Hsueh

AmeriCorps Serve New Mexico Executive Director

Kristin Hsueh joined AmeriCorps and Serve New Mexico team in February 2024 as the Executive Director.  She is excited to rejoin the team after having previously served as the Outreach and Events Officer for the Serve New Mexico (previously known as the New Mexico Commission for Community Volunteerism).  Kristin is looking forward to working with the amazing Serve NM team and Commission to bring increased awareness of the importance and benefits National Service can have in a community, to the individual members, and to those that they serve.  Kristin will continue to promote the AmeriCorps programs and the benefits of volunteerism throughout the state of New Mexico.  In addition to her commitment to National Service, Kristin has worked over a decade in Museums in roles including being an AmeriCorps site supervisor, Educator, Volunteer Coordinator, and Museum Director. In her spare time, Kristin enjoys gardening and exploring the outdoors with her husband, two dogs, and two goats.

Jolyne Copple

Serve New Mexico Commission Staff

Jolyne Copple currently serves as the AmeriCorps Fiscal and Compliance Officer for the Serve New Mexico Commission, a position she has held since September 2024. In this role, she is responsible for providing fiscal oversight and ensuring compliance with applicable state and federal statutes, regulations, and policy requirements. Jolyne attended Northern New Mexico College in Española, NM, and brings a wealth of experience from previous roles at the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA), the Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD), and the Health Care Authority (HCA).

Israel Hendricks

Serve NM Commission Staff

Israel Hendricks recently joined the Serve New Mexico Commission as the AmeriCorps Program Officer. He is a U.S. Navy Veteran with 23 years of federal government service in the U.S Fish & Wildlife and the Department of Veterans Affairs, as a Management and Program Analyst, Supervisor, Training Manager, Quality Review and Training Specialist, Field Examiner and Claims Processor. Israel achieved a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology and in Psychology at the University of New Mexico in 2006, graduating Suma Cum Lade.

                  Opening Speaker and Cabinet Secretary

Kay Emerson

SheRen Consulting

Kay Emerson, MS, is a dedicated civic leader with over 15 years of experience in public administration, specializing in public health, education, economic mobility, and national service programs. She brings expertise in program development, grant management, financial oversight, monitoring, and civic service training, ensuring organizations achieve financial fidelity, compliance, and meaningful engagement.

With an MS in Human Service and a BA in Psychology, Kay’s background spans both policy and practice. As a former commission staff member, she provides valuable cross-sector insights that resonate across all service roles. A passionate AmeriCorps advocate, Kay delivers engaging, hands-on training that fosters community building, leadership development, and practical skills—empowering participants throughout their service journey and beyond.

Sarita Nair

Cabinet Secretary of New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions

Breakout Speakers

Devon DeLeon

Department of Workforce Solutions

Devon DeLeon is currently serving as a Workplace Learning and Development Specialist for the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS). He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a concentration in criminology from the University of Southern New Hampshire. A proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Devon brings over eight (8) years of extensive training experience, including roles as a Master Level Military Instructor, Academic Curriculum Developer, Unit Transition Program Manager, and most recently, a Talent Development Specialist at Sandia National Labs. He specializes in classroom presentation, content development, and learning management systems. 

Devon is passionate about coaching, mentoring, and guiding individuals to their full professional potential. His spare time is spent with family hiking, golfing, and playing various card games.

Katrina Vigil

Department of Workforce Solutions

Katrina Vigil is the State Apprenticeship Director for the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions and has worked in this capacity since June of 2012.She is a graduate of New Mexico State University where she received a Bachelor of Science in Education. Her current role involves the supervision of day-to-day operations, implementation of strategies, and planning and leadership initiatives to support the development and expansion of registered apprenticeship. Additionally, she serves as the Secretary for the National Association of State and Territorial Apprenticeship Directors (NASTAD). NASTAD works to promote and achieve an effective national apprenticeship system in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship (OA).

Her experience with apprenticeship and in other areas of workforce development has provided her a deep appreciation of the importance of developing strategies to employ New Mexicans and support them in establishing careers which provide sustainable wages and viable career pathways. As an advocate of work-based learning opportunities, she believes it is vital to collaborate and establish partnerships to strengthen and cultivate such opportunities to develop a more skilled and qualified workforce in New Mexico.

Anthony Martinez

Department of Workforce Solutions

Tony Martinez is a Workforce Learning and Development Specialist at the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions.  He loves helping people to grow and excel in the work they are engaged in at the agency. He has broad experience in content development and delivery for adult learners. Tony was an early pioneer in online education early on. He continues to deliver online training both in his position at NMDWS and in his volunteer activities. A dedicated team member in his primary job by day, Tony is an accomplished photographer in his off hours. 

Sara Fry

Sara served as an AmeriCorps member in 2012 at the Arlington Education and Employment Program in VA. After completing her service, she worked as their AmeriCorps Site Supervisor and Volunteer Manager. She moved to Santa Fe, NM in 2018 to take a Program Officer position with the Corporation for National and Community Service. Since then, she has run the Days of Service grant competition and led a small team of staff who conducted grant monitoring activities nationwide. 

Sara holds a Master of Public Administration and Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from George Mason University. In her free time, she's busy chasing after her toddler, practicing her Spanish, and cuddling with her cat. 

Hazel Mella

Department of Workforce Solutions

Dr. Hazel Mella is currently serving as a Training Manager for the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NM DWS). She holds a Ph.D. in Education, specializing in Leadership for Higher Education, which she earned from Capella University. She acquired her undergraduate and graduate degrees in History from the University of Illinois. Dr. Mella’s current work is focused on adopting a collaborative approach to support the staff, clients, and change agents of NM DWS in aligning their learning and professional development competencies with the agency’s mission and vision. With experience exceeding 25+ years in private and public industries, as well as academia, Dr. Mella is a seasoned professional in workplace learning. 

Joshua George

Department of Workforce Solutions

Joshua George is currently serving as a Workplace Learning and Delivery Specialist for the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS).  He holds a Bachelor’s degree in professional writing from the University of New Mexico.  He has over seven years of training experience across both private and public sectors.   He specializes in classroom engagement, content development and data gathering.  Joshua is passionate about adult learning, helping others grow and develop skills.  He is active in the local hobby community.  His spare time is spent with family as well as various hobbies including modeling, gaming and 3d printing. 

Ceanna Pettis-Smith

Department of Workforce Solutions

Ceanna Pettis-Smith is the Pre-Apprenticeship Program Coordinator with the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions, where she helps design and grow opportunities that connect participants to meaningful career pathways. With a background that bridges both personal experience and professional expertise, Ceanna brings a unique perspective to her role.

Her workforce journey began as a TANF participant, where she enrolled in Career Link and completed an “on-the-job training” placement at the Workforce Connection, now known as the AJC. That experience not only gave her valuable skills but also proved to her first-hand that workforce programs can truly change lives.

Today, as she leads the Pre-Apprenticeship Program, Ceanna continues to learn and evolve with the program—bringing enthusiasm, creativity, and dedication to her work. She is passionate about helping others access the same opportunities that once opened doors for her, and she strives to be both an advocate and a bridge between participants and the future of New Mexico’s workforce.

Marc Schmallen

Choice Recovery Path

 Marc Schmallen is founder and CEO at Choice Recovery Path, LLC. He has developed tools and software to help people in transition build structure and meet goals. His work with individuals, groups and agencies has been changing recovery across New Mexico - and increasingly the Choice Recovery Path App and Toolkit are being used in other states, as well.

Marc learned to navigate “the system” firsthand and began helping others develop strategies for pre-trial and post-trial rehabilitation and self-documentation. By proactively demonstrating a willingness to change, Marc found, people could dramatically change outcomes for themselves within and beyond the legal system.

Choice Recovery Path has worked under the State Opioid Response Grant through the Behavioral Health Service Division of Health and Human Services in the state of NM with collaborating agencies to show efficacy for using the CRP system with various client and staff populations. Marc has led numerous trainings for clients, staff and administration for using the CRP system in order to bridge treatment gaps. Marc’s unique insight and tools have transformed the way longer-term needs of clients at risk are addressed.

David Chené

YCC

David Chené was born and raised in New Mexico. He is currently serving as the Executive Director of the NM Youth Conservation Corps. Mr. Chené recently served with AmeriCorps from 2022-2025 as a Senior Portfolio Manager with the Mountain Region. Mr. Chené has also held positions such as Civic Engagement Manager for the City of Albuquerque Mayor’s Office, Organizational Growth and Community Relations Manager for the Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS) Department, and Executive Director for the Serve New Mexico Commission. His career in promoting service, volunteerism and youth development began as a VISTA Volunteer in 2005. He holds a bachelor's degree in intercultural communication and a master's degree in public administration from the University of New Mexico.