Speakers
Keynote Speaker: Erica Wheeler
Erica Wheeler is an award-winning singer-songwriter, TEDx speaker, writing mentor and interpretive trainer. She has spoken Governor’s Conferences on Tourism and worked extensively with the National Park Service, offering training at 45 sites to date, from Denali National Park and Preserve to Independence Hall. She has six CDs to her credit. Her music has charted in the top ten on Billboard’s Gavin’s Americana Chart, and she has been interviewed on NPR’s All Things Considered. Her work is dedicated to inspiring meaningful connections between people and place.
New MexiCare – Caregiver Health Program (CHP)
Jennifer Vigil, ALTSD APS Deputy Director
Jennifer Vigil is from Santa Fe, NM. She earned her undergraduate and graduate from the University of Phoenix. She is married with two boys and enjoys traveling, playing golf, the beach, reading a good book, and spending time with her family. She has over 22 years of experience in New Mexico State Government. Over the last decade she has been actively involved in developing and implementing state programs to better serve New Mexicans. Her past work experience has allowed her to develop a solid understanding of the needs in underserved populations, to ensure that all voices are heard in the decision-making process. She is a dedicated public servant with a passion for helping New Mexicans.
Roberta Farley, ALTSD APS Clinical Operations Manager
Prior to her work with Adult Protective Services as the Clinical Operations Manager, Roberta served victims of violent crime for over 13 years in the state of Texas. She provided direct services to victims/survivors, First Responders and helping professionals from a variety of fields. She is nationally certified in Critical Incident Stress Management and has trained hundreds of professional and individuals in mitigating the risks of Vicarious Trauma. Roberta holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and practiced psychology in Texas for two decades with a specialty in Post Traumatic Stress.
Elena Spielman, Staff Attorney, NM Senior Law Office
Elena received her B.A and J.D. degrees from the University of Wisconsin (Madison WI). After moving to New Mexico in 1976 she worked for the Legal Aid Society of Albuquerque and then Northern New Mexico Legal Services (now New Mexico Legal Services). Subsequently Elena practiced family law in the private sector for many years. Elena joined SCLO’s staff as a part-time attorney in 2014.
Trish Lopez, Founder, Teeniors
Trish Lopez is the Founder of Teeniors: tech-savvy teens and young adults who help seniors learn technology through one-on-one coaching. Lopez is a native New Mexican who has worked professionally with everyone from Hollywood executives to political leaders. After 13 years in the film industry, was inspired to create Teeniors after seeing her own mom struggle to adapt to the digital world. A graduate of UNM and supporter of numerous social causes, Lopez's primary interest is bringing people together from different walks of life to create change in our communities.
Erica Wheeler, Sense of Place Consulting
Erica Wheeler is an award-winning singer-songwriter, TEDx speaker, writing mentor and interpretive trainer. She has spoken Governor’s Conferences on Tourism and worked extensively with the National Park Service, offering training at 45 sites to date, from Denali National Park and Preserve to Independence Hall. She has six CDs to her credit. Her music has charted in the top ten on Billboard’s Gavin’s Americana Chart, and she has been interviewed on NPR’s All Things Considered. Her work is dedicated to inspiring meaningful connections between people and place.
Kate Coucke, Artist
Kate Coucke is a painter and printmaker from New Mexico. She studied painting and printmaking at the University of New Mexico where she earned her bachelors in Studio Art. Much of her work is inspired by her home state of New Mexico including things like landscapes, nature, family, and wildlife. She enjoys spending her time as a mother of two and as a small business owner.
Emmett “Shkeme” Garcia, Author and Storyteller
Emmett “Shkeme” Garcia is from the Pueblos of Tamaya (Santa Ana) and Walatowa (Jemez) in New Mexico. His diverse talents include Traditional Pueblo Singer/Dancer/Drummer, lead singer of the award winning Native American Reggae Band Native Roots, Storyteller, NM Native American Historian, Motivational Speaker, Event Producer, Cultural Educator and Children’s Book Author. Shkeme’s children books include “Coyote and the Sky” (Southwest Children’s book award winner) and “Sister Rabbit’s Tricks” - notable performances and presentations include: National Geographic/Star Alliance, 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, Sundance Film Festival, Kennedy Performing Arts Center, Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian NYC and Washington DC, Gathering of Nations, CBS’ “Kid Nation”. International performances include: Japan, Peru, England, New Zealand, Singapore, and Italy.
Niame Adele & Marcia Pincus
For over 23 years, Niame Adele has been dedicated to studying various Chinese martial arts at the Chinese Culture Center. Niame has developed expertise in Chi Kung, Tai Chi, Chin Na, Bagua, and Xing Yi empty hand forms. Additionally, her practice includes mastery of five weapons forms, including two sword forms, a 50” staff, Chen Fan, and Chen Sabre.
Marcia Pincus has been practicing Chinese martial arts (both internal and external forms) for over 35 years. She is a Energyarts certified instructor and teaches Lao Zi’ Qigong Taoist Water Method.
Lindsay Taylor, Executive Director, Queen Bee Music Association
Lindsay Taylor has worked with thousands of students, teaching theatre, Spanish, folk dance and music. Whether in public schools or summer camps, she loves watching learners of all ages explore their own talents and possibilities. A proven leader in the nonprofit sector, she has worked as Director of Institutional Advancement for the Santa Fe Botanical Garden and Director of Marketing for Swallow Hill Music in Denver. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Santa Fe Classic Theater and performs with Glorieta Pines.
Ashley Dunworth, Registered Dietitian, Presbyterian Health Services
Ashley was born and raised in New Mexico, and has a passion for teaching people how to live a healthy lifestyle.
Adrienne Smith, President & CEO, New Mexico Caregivers Coalition
Adrienne R. Smith is the Founder, President & CEO of the New Mexico Caregivers Coalition. This statewide organization advocates for and advances the professional development and workforce issues of New Mexico’s direct caregivers.Ms. Smith has owned and operated a consulting firm since 2001, Education and Workforce Consultants, LLC, for which she worked for international, national, and state clients in the areas of youth development, youth employment, workforce development, resource development, and advocacy. Her work includes the development of national strategies to serve in-school and out-of-school youth in Honduras, Brazil, and Indonesia through U.S. Agency for International Development.
Kris Winterowd, ALTSD CERD Program and Policy Bureau Chief
Join former teacher-turned-Medicare specialist Kris Winterowd, CERD Bureau Chief and Director of the State of New Mexico’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). SHIP is part of the New Mexico Aging Services Department, and offers free, unbiased, expert information and assistance about Medicare and connecting with resources to New Mexico residents.
Cristóbal Muñoz, Health Law Director, NM Senior Law Office
Cristóbal Muñoz who is bilingual is SCLO’s Health Law Director. He is a licensed New Mexico attorney. Cris received his J.D. degree from the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law in Washington, D.C. in 2013; and his M.A. in Education from the University of Navarre in Pamplona, Spain in 2002. Prior to joining SCLO’s staff in 2017, Cris was a trial attorney for the National Labor Relations Board, worked under a temporary contract with the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty, and served a brief internship at United South Broadway Corporation. At SCLO, Cristobal focuses primarily on federal benefits (Medicare, Social Security, SSI) and state administered benefits (Medicaid and SNAP). Because of the intersection between healthcare, income, nutrition and housing, Cris also works on issues related to housing subsidized by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Denise King, Aging Network Division Director, NM Aging Services
Denise King is the Aging Network Division Director for the Aging and Long-Term Services Department. With a master’s degree in social work and over two decades of experience, she has led initiatives to improve senior services, including food security programs and collaborations with community agencies. Her focus is on ensuring access, choice, and respect for New Mexico's older adults and disabled individuals in their pursuit of lifelong independence and healthy aging.
Cecelia Acosta, Executive Director, New Mexico Senior Olympics & Terry Delgado, Events Coordinator, New Mexico Senior Olympics
Cecelia Acosta has dedicated over three decades to New Mexico Senior Olympics, where she developed state games recognized regionally and nationally. Under her leadership, the annual Summer Games became the largest multi-sport event for adults 50+ in the state, attracting up to 1,200 senior athletes pre-pandemic. A passionate advocate for senior wellness, Cecelia's vision includes revitalizing local games across New Mexico, with no plans for retirement in sight.
Gary Glazner, Founder & Executive Director, Alzheimer's Poetry Project
Gary Glazner is the founder and Executive Director of the Alzheimer's Poetry Project, (APP). The APP was the recipient of the 2013, Innovations in Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiving Legacy Award and the 2012 MetLife Foundation Creativity and Aging in America Leadership Award. The National Endowment for the Arts listed the APP as a “best practice.” NBC's “Today” show, PBS NewsHour and NPR's “All Things Considered” have featured segments on Glazner’s work. Glazner is the author of Dementia Arts: Celebrating Creativity in Elder Care.
Fallon Bader, Register Dietician & Owner, The Sprouting Kitchen
Fallon Bader is a community builder, culinary educator, and entrepreneur with over seven years of experience creating unique food experiences. As the founder of The Sprouting Kitchen, the only dietitian-led program offering cooking classes on local farms, she has hosted over 200 virtual cooking classes for diverse audiences. Her notable achievements include leading the Hunger and Environmental Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group, receiving the Nutrition Entrepreneur Grant from Siggi’s Yogurt, and being named Young Dietitian of the Year by the New Mexico Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in 2019.
Ombudsman Volunteers from across NM
Discover the powerful impact of Long-Term Care Ombudsman volunteers in New Mexico through inspiring stories and experiences. Learn how you can make a difference by joining the effort to advocate for residents' rights and well-being and be a voice for those who often go unheard.
Dr. Jessica D. Richardson, Professor & Speech Language Pathologist, UNM Center for Memory & Aging & Tommy Hernandez, Public Policy Director, Alzheimer’s Association of New Mexico
Dr. Jessica D. Richardson is a professor and speech-language pathologist specializing in adult-onset cognitive and communication disorders resulting from stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and dementia. Since joining forces with the UNM Center for Memory and Aging in 2016, Dr. Richardson has played a pivotal role in advancing dementia research and outreach. She currently serves as the Co-Lead of the Outreach, Recruitment, and Engagement Core at the New Mexico Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, alongside Dr. Janice Knoefel. Additionally, she has been the Outreach Director for the UNM Center for Brain Recovery and Repair (CBRR) since 2020 and also began her role as CBRR Clinical Core Co-Director in 2023. Dr. Richardson is known for her commitment to service-oriented research, evidenced by her initiatives such as aphasia support groups, brain injury clinics, virtual support and therapy groups, and NeuroChoir programs, all of which she has developed and sustained since 2016. Her dedication to enhancing quality of life for individuals aging with disorders and their loved ones underscores her passion for promoting successful aging and effective management of these conditions.
As the chief lobbyist and lead government relations authority for the Alzheimer's Association in New Mexico, Tommy Hernandez directs and develops comprehensive strategies in public policy and advocacy. He serves as the primary liaison with stakeholders and key policy-makers, shaping health policy issues at both the state and federal levels.
Kerry Bergen, Mixed Media Artist
Kerry teaches multicultural and fine arts workshops to children and adults in public and private schools, Globalquerque World Music and Culture, National Hispanic Cultural Center, South Broadway Cultural Center and University of New Mexico Continuing Education Arts for Enrichment. She mentors community mural projects and has supported arts by teaching hundreds of children and families from many cultures throughout New Mexico. Kerry Bergen’s art has been exhibited in galleries including the South Broadway Cultural Center, The Kimo Art Gallery and local venues. Studies include Graduate of The Art Center Design College and The Art Institute of Pittsburgh.
Jennifer Scott, Deputy State Ombudsman/Acting State Ombudsman, New Mexico Aging Services
Benjamin Schrope, Acting Director of the New Mexico Securities Division & Stephanie Telles, Otono Consulting
Benjamin Schrope serves as Acting Director and Supervising Attorney for the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Securities Division. He is a former Chief Deputy District Attorney for the New Mexico First Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Benjamin is a graduate of the University of Akron School of Law and is licensed to practice law in New Mexico, Ohio, and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. Benjamin has prosecuted cases on behalf of the state of New Mexico for more than 15 years and has worked in securities enforcement and compliance for over seven years. In addition to possessing extensive litigation experience, Benjamin acts as an instructor for the North American Securities Administrators Association’s deposition and litigation project group and has given presentations and classes to the securities industry and local police agencies.