David T Hanson, CEO
Professor and Assistant Vice President for Research, University of New Mexico
Dr. Hanson received his PhD in 1999, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison prior to his post-doctoral fellowship at the Australian National University, and joining the Biology Department at the University of New Mexico in 2002. He became an Assistant Vice President for Research in 2021 where he is focused on external relations and regional coalition building.
Sandra Begay
Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff / Researcher, Sandia National Laboratories
Sandra Begay is Navajo, distinguished researcher at Sandia National Laboratories (32 years). Sandra has a BS degree Civil Engineering – University of New Mexico (UNM) and a MS degree Structural Engineering – Stanford University. Sandra provides technical assistance to US tribes and is a subject matter expert on tribal energy.
Richard Luarkie
CEO, Emerging Equities Solutions Group, LLC
Dr. Richard Luarkie is a visionary leader with an impressive track record in economic and business development in Indian Country. Drawing from his diverse leadership experience, Dr. Luarkie is a skilled entrepreneur, a recognized Tribal leader, and a strategic thinker. Dr. Luarkie holds a BA in Economics from UNM, an MBA from NMSU, and a PhD from ASU.
Andrea Sisneros Wichman
Senior Director of Programs, CNM Ingenuity, Inc.
Andrea Sisneros Wichman leads new programs, grants and funding opportunities, and college-wide new program development for CNM Ingenuity. Prior to this role, Andrea managed technology and renewable energy training programs at Central New Mexico Community College since February 2011 and with CNM Ingenuity since its inception in 2014.
John Hernandez
CEO and Co-Founder at Dash2 Labs, Inc. and Principal Consultant and Managing Member at Dash2 Consulting, LLC
John Hernandez, CEO of Dash2 Labs and Managing Member of Dash2 Consulting, is an MIT alumnus, Project Management Institute Board Member, and former U.S. Naval Aviator. He has managed multimillion-dollar projects and operations in both the DoD and DoE enterprises. He holds advanced degrees in Physics, Systems Engineering, Aeronautics, and an MBA.
Kathy Foster
Director of Strategic Operations, Arrowhead Center at New Mexico State University
Kathy Foster, MBA, is the Director of Strategic Operations at NMSU’s Arrowhead Center, focusing on strategic planning and overseeing technology programs. Through the NM FAST partnership program, she provides SBIR/STTR support for small businesses. Kathy is an expert in grant writing, program management, and building industry relationships.
Alex Mayer
Professor of Civil Engineering, University of Texas at El Paso
Dr. Alex Mayer’s current research interests include climate change impacts on Rio Grande water resources systems, impacts of sea level rise on coastal water supplies, affordable water access in desert cities and rural communities, nature-based solutions for ameliorating urban heat islands, and binational management of US-Mexico water resources.
Abhishek RoyChowdhury
Associate Professor of Environmental Science and Natural Resources, Navajo Technical University
Dr. Abhishek RoyChowdhury is a tenured Associate Professor of Environmental Science and Natural Resources at Navajo Technical University. His research expertise lies in the field of environmental clean-up and remediation with special emphasis on abandoned mine site remediation, water and wastewater treatment, and installation of water filtration units in Tribal communities. He is also involved in advancing STEM education and workforce development in the Indigenous communities.