STAFF & BOARD
Ángel Peña | Executive Director
Ángel Peña was born and raised in the Río Bravo valley, he is a first generation Mexican, American and father of three. Àngel has had the opportunity to support and lead strong effective teams that ultimately secured protections totaling millions of acres across the American Southwest. A founding member of the Next 100 Coalition, and Now the Executive Director of the Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project he is in the business of people empowerment. Working to empower the people that have true, authentic and deep-rooted ties to the land.
Olivia Bettinger | Operations Director
Olivia Bettinger, Operations Director at Nuestra Tierra, is committed to building systems that enhance the organization's workplace environment. With a B.A. in sociology and dance from Reed College, Olivia applies her systemic understanding and creative thinking to manage finances, support staff, and facilitate growth. Her passion for public lands and waters traces back to childhood canoe trips on Northeast Oklahoma's muddy, post-Dust Bowl lakes, which underscored the intrinsic value of landscapes to their local communities. Olivia's dedication to outdoor education was further shaped by her experiences as a Girl Scout camp counselor and lifeguard, where she witnessed the transformative impact of nature on youth. Living in Las Cruces with her wife, pets, and a love for dancing and community building, she strives to make outdoor experiences accessible to all children.
Adrian Angulo | Campaigns & Program Director
Adrian Angulo, a first-generation American citizen from Sonora, Mexico, where he grew up fishing for cochito, pargo, and roncachito, has cultivated a strong civic responsibility and actively encourages community political engagement. After earning his bachelor’s degree from St. John’s College in Santa Fe, Angulo launched his career at the New Mexico State Legislature. Here, he collaborated with elected officials across the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee and Senate Finance Committee to safeguard the environment. Expanding his role in community leadership, he moved into political campaigns, focusing on fundraising, event management, Hispanic and Latino outreach, public relations, and mobilizing volunteers, including diverse local and tribal communities, to support progressive causes. When not working, Angulo enjoys woodworking, biking, and hiking with his dog.
Danielle Malloy
Growing up, Danielle's grandfather drove her to school every morning, often tuning in to the local AM "talk radio" station discussing economic and political issues on the southside of Chicago. These car rides sparked Danielle's interest in addressing community inequities, leading her to join her high school's policy debate team to engage in meaningful dialogues on public policies.
Danielle earned her bachelor’s degree from Bradley University in Peoria, IL, majoring in political science with minors in economics, women and gender studies, and international relations. Her education deepened her understanding of injustices, fueling her advocacy for excluded communities. Interning for multiple Illinois State Representatives, she championed women's rights, increased wages, and social programs for historically discriminated groups.
Now, in the nonprofit development field, Danielle supports excluded communities. Despite her urban upbringing, she developed a love for biking, skating, and the outdoors from trips to beaches, parks, and trails with her grandfather.
Graciela Corral Hernandez | Operations & Events Coordinator
Graciela Corral Hernandez, originally from Sonora, Mexico, immigrated to the United States in 2020 and now resides in Las Cruces, NM. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Business from Instituto Tecnologico de Monterrey, along with certifications in Design Thinking and Civil Society & Project Development. Graciela is deeply passionate about environmental justice and empowering Latino/a/e communities.
Before joining Nuestra Tierra, she led the development of a youth STEM program at the Latino Community Fund and designed digital communication strategies for Orquesta Northwest.
Graciela has a strong background in design thinking, operations, event organizing, and project development, always prioritizing diversity and inclusion in her work.
When she’s not working, Graciela enjoys exploring the great outdoors through camping and hiking, and spending quality time with her beloved black cat, Juanito.
Laura Flores | Partnerships & Outreach Manager
Laura Flores, is a former educator of 15 years with a lifelong passion for education and the outdoors. Her love for nature was nurtured through childhood experiences spent camping, hiking, and gardening with her family. Laura continues to share these traditions with her own family, strengthening their bond to nature and history.
In her professional role, Laura works to make outdoor experiences accessible, safe, and enjoyable for all. She is dedicated to connecting New Mexico’s youth with the outdoors, fostering a love for the state’s landscapes and promoting conservation. Through her efforts, Laura aims to inspire future generations to protect the environment and cherish the adventures they experience.
Natasha Norman | Communications Manager
Natasha Norman (she/her) is a proud Fronteriza and El Paso native. Natasha brings more than 10 years of experience in marketing, content creation/management, and graphic design. In her previous position at the El Paso Museum of History, she gained a new appreciation for and interest in the history of the Borderland and stories of community, as well as advocacy for social and environmental equity.
Natasha received her degree in Business Administration in Marketing with a concentration in Advertising from Northwood University in Cedar Hill, Texas. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with honors, Faculty and Academic Excellence awards in advertising, and was recognized as ‘Who’s Who Among American Universities and Colleges.’
In her role as the Communications Manager, Natasha hopes to use her lived and professional experiences to elevate NTCP’s online presence and continue to creatively share the good work of Nuestra Tierra with larger audiences.
PRESIDENT
Ray Trejo
Ray Trejo is a lifelong educator, sportsman, and conservationist from Deming, NM. As the former assistant superintendent at Deming Public Schools, Ray has dedicated a big portion of his life to serving K-12 youth and has mentored countless Hispanic youth in the outdoors. Aside from his dedicated work with Nuestra Tierra, Ray also serves as an outreach coordinator for New Mexico Wildlife Federation and as the Deming Refugee Shelter Director. Ray attended Western New Mexico University in Silver City where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in education, a master’s degree in teaching and a second master’s in educational leadership.
SECRETARY
Charlene Juanico
Charlene Juanico was born in Albuquerque, raised in Rio Rancho and is from Zia, Jemez, and Acoma Pueblo. She graduated from NMSU with degrees in Fish and Wildlife Conservation Ecology and Administration and Public Policy. Her passion for land advocacy was ignited when the North Dakota Pipeline was built and she made a commitment to doing her part to prevent more natural resource destruction on Indigenous lands. She is the Assistant Tribal Relations Liaison for US Forest Service at Cibola & Sante Fe National Forests. She is also member of the Pueblo Action Alliance in Albuquerque. In her free time Charlene enjoys hiking and camping.
MEMBER
Krystyna Gonzalez
Krystyna Gonzalez grew up in San Miguel, NM and now live in Las Cruces. She is a professional mental health therapist and passionately believes that connecting to nature is a form of therapy. Alongside her work as Nuestra Tierra board member, she is also an ambassador for Women Who Explores, where she helps other women connect to the the outdoors. Her commitment to community and helping others get outdoors is what draws her to Nuestra Tierra’s work. She loves backpacking, photography, and coffee.
Member
Judy Calman
Growing up in Washington, DC, Judy was captivated by New Mexico. During college at the University of Maryland, she joined a one-semester exchange program at the University of New Mexico—and decided to stay. She completed degrees in Biology and Philosophy in Albuquerque, and after becoming active in politics, pursued law school. Judy holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of New Mexico and a Master’s in Environmental Policy from Vermont Law School. Today, as the New Mexico Policy Director for The Audubon Society, she focuses on state policies on water, wildlife, and habitat protection.
Member
Elvis Cordova
Elvis Cordova is a dynamic executive with over 15 years of experience in public sector solutions, blending political, legal, and economic expertise. A skilled coalition builder, he understands U.S. government operations deeply, forming strong global relationships with policymakers. Most recently, he served as Chief of Staff for The Wilderness Society, focusing on conserving U.S. wildlands. Prior roles include Vice President at the National Recreation and Park Association and senior positions at the USDA under President Obama. An NYU graduate, Elvis also worked with the UN, promoting trade in emerging markets.
Member
Jared Berenice Estrada (Bere)
Jared Berenice Estrada, known as Bere, was born in Torreón, Mexico, and moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, with her family at a young age, where she lived for 13 years before settling in Albuquerque. She graduated from Capital High School in 2013 and earned an AA in Human Services from Santa Fe Community College in 2017. Jared’s passion for social justice began in school, where she saw the effects of anti-immigrant policies. She joined New Mexico Dreamers in Action in 2013, later working with the New Mexico Dream Team to advocate for undocumented students, helping educators better understand their challenges. Now, as the Advocacy & Programs Director for The Semilla Project and Dreams in Action NM, she leads impactful community campaigns and emphasizes community-led change. An advocate for environmental justice, she supports policies protecting natural resources and creating outdoor opportunities for BIPOC youth. In her spare time, Jared shares budgeting tips on social media, enjoys camping, and spends time with her dogs, Apex and Sky.
Member
Lan Sena
Lan Sena, born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is the daughter of Vietnamese refugees who settled in the city in 1975 and 1981. She holds a B.A. in Political Science and a Master of Health Administration from the University of New Mexico. Diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2011, Lan has been a strong advocate for policy reforms to support cancer patients, including protections for pre-existing conditions and Medicaid Buy-In. She is a Founders Council member with United States of Care, working to secure accessible healthcare for families. Appointed to the Albuquerque City Council in 2020, Lan championed initiatives like zero-fare transit, language access, and paid sick leave until her term ended in 2021. She lives on Albuquerque’s Westside with her husband, Joey, and their four dogs, Sterling, Lobo, Mochi, and Izzy.
ADVISOR TO THE BOARD
José G. González
José G. González is the Founder of Latino Outdoors. He is an experienced K-12 educator, environmental education advisor, outdoor education instructor and coordinator, and university adjunct faculty. He is also an illustrator and science communicator. He has engaged in collaborations with the White House Council on Environmental Quality, U.S. Department of Interior, and the National Park Service during the Obama Administration. He also represented Latino Outdoors in several coalitions including the Latino Conservation Alliance, the Next 100 Coalition, and California Parks Now.