Stacey Cox, PhD
Chief Executive Officer
A native New Mexican, Dr. Cox has spent years bridging the urban and rural divides that drive health inequities across the state. Her approach builds community resilience while dismantling systemic barriers. She combines deep consulting knowledge with practical experience leading large social justice organizations, and can often be found at the Roundhouse educating legislators on the social determinants of health. She holds a doctorate in psychology from Saybrook University.
Lucinda Tecca
Chief Financial Officer
With more than 35 years in finance administration, Lucinda has guided the Institute for nearly a decade. She holds a degree in accounting and business administration and a certificate in leadership training, and previously spent 12 years with a regional community health center as finance manager and assistant CFO. A native of Hidalgo County in New Mexico's bootheel, she spends her free time camping and with family.
Eugenia Trujillo
Director, Workforce Development & Southern Area Health Education Center
With more than 20 years in health education, "Gena" leads the Workforce Programs Department. Under her guidance the two Area Health Education Centers the Institute administers — spanning 17 southern New Mexico counties — have continually exceeded goals and expanded programming. She is bilingual and works extensively with multicultural populations, and holds a master's degree in criminal justice from NMSU.
Emily McRae
Director of Information & Special Projects, New Mexico Community Data Collaborative
Emily leads information and special projects, including the New Mexico Community Data Collaborative. She holds a master's in GIS administration and loves the intersection of art and science inherent in mapping. She is passionate about data sovereignty and supporting a diversity of health outcomes across New Mexico.
Arlene Salazar
Finance Director
Arlene brings a decade of experience across for-profit and nonprofit organizations. A New Mexico native with a lifelong affinity for numbers, she holds an associate degree in office administration and a bachelor's degree in accounting, both from Western New Mexico University.
Baudelia Salgado
Director of Frontier and Rural Workforce Development
"Bala" has led the education center since 2018. A Grant County native, she started as a program specialist for FORWARD NM AHEC, coordinating student rotations and healthcare pipeline activities like the Dream Makers Health Career program. She is especially proud of retooling the annual Teen Academy for Health Sciences and intends to expand it statewide.
Angelica Rodriguez
Luna County CATS Coordinator
As a program specialist for the Luna County Coalition Against Teens Using Substances, Angelica works to reduce alcohol and prescription drug misuse among underage youth. She brings an extensive background in education, sociology, and criminal justice, and can be found cycling in the shadow of the Florida Mountains.
Erin Small
Unified Prevention Coalition for Doña Ana County Coordinator
Born and raised in Las Cruces, Erin knows the communities of the southern Rio Grande Valley well. She previously coordinated the Sierra County Coalition and holds associate and bachelor's degrees in public health. She takes pride in knowing the region's behavioral health resources and connecting her community to them.
Margaret Felecia Chavez
Hidalgo County Health Council Coordinator
Margaret focuses on capacity building and collaboration so every resource in this frontier county comes together to improve health equity. Under her care the health council was named 2022 Organization of the Year by the Hidalgo County Chamber of Commerce. A mental health advocate, she holds a QPR Gatekeeper Instructor certificate.
Tayler Lopez
FORWARD NM Area Health Education Center Coordinator
Tayler works to increase access to quality health care by growing the supply and improving the distribution of healthcare professionals through community and academic partnerships. She holds an associate of applied science in public health from NMSU and a community health worker certification.
MariaAnna Molina
SoAHEC & Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Coordinator
MariaAnna began as a contracted translator for the Southern Area Health Education Center in 2020 and now oversees interns and helps them strengthen their public speaking. She was recently appointed President of the New Mexico Public Health Association and holds a bachelor's degree from NMSU.
Brianna Flores
Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Manager
Brianna is passionate about helping others begin careers in behavioral health through the internship program she leads. She interned with the Institute during college and worked her way up to program manager. She holds a Bachelor of Public Health and six years in the field.
Joyce Rico
Administrative Specialist Manager, HR & Payroll
Joyce manages payroll end to end, along with benefits administration and year-end compliance. She brings over 13 years designing and administering HR, payroll, and benefits systems for Grant County government, and holds a bachelor's degree in management information systems from WNMU.
Linda Guerra
Finance Administrative Manager
Linda has balanced the Institute's books for over five years. Originally from Montana, she has lived in southern New Mexico for 21 years and graduated from Western New Mexico University with degrees in business and finance.
Emma McKinley
Grant County Community Health Council Coordinator
Emma serves as the Community Health Council Coordinator for Grant County, stepping into the role in 2025 after several years as a council member. With a background in violence prevention, advocacy, public health, and harm reduction, she promotes health, wellness, and accessibility across the community.
