 Kristina G. Fisher is Think New Mexico’s Associate Director, Leadership Internship supervisor, and webmaster. A lifelong New Mexican, Kristina graduated first in her class from the University of New Mexico School of Law, where she was Editor-in-Chief of the Natural Resources Journal. She is a recipient of the national Harry S Truman Fellowship for Leadership and Public Service and the Morris K. and Stewart L. Udall Award for Excellence in Environmental Studies. In her free time, she helps lead the all-volunteer Albuquerque Wildlife Federation, where she organizes ecological restoration projects on lands across New Mexico and writes the group’s monthly newsletter, the Pine Cone. Kristina is active in land, water, and environmental justice issues across New Mexico. |
 Katie Gutierrez is Think New Mexico’s Tax, Budget, and Economic Development Reform Director. Katie is from San Antonito, New Mexico, where her family has been farming for 12 generations. A PhD candidate in Economics at the University of New Mexico, she studies the impact of taxes and policy changes on people’s health and wellbeing, with a focus on reducing health disparities. Katie is a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Research Scholar alumna, a UNM Center for Social Policy alumna, and a former organizer with the United Graduate workers of UNM. She most recently was a Visiting Professor of Economics at Williams College. |
 Marcus P. Lujan is Think New Mexico’s Field Director. Marcus was born and raised in Santa Fe where he proudly attended St. Michael’s High School, serving as his Class President. He graduated with Honors from New Mexico State University in 2024, earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Government. At NMSU, Marcus served as one of four voting members of the Student Fee Review Board. In his free time, Marcus is an active member of the St. Michael’s Alumni Association and is an avid sports fan. |
 Susan L. Martin is Think New Mexico’s Business Manager. A graduate of the College of Santa Fe, Susan has extensive business management experience in both the nonprofit and for-profit sector, from a 14-year stint at the Santa Fe Opera to her most recent position at the start-up Deep Web Technologies. In her free time, Susan volunteers with the International Folk Art Market and serves as the Majordomo of the Amy Hetegar Community Garden in Casa Solana. |
 Fred Nathan, Jr. founded Think New Mexico and is its Executive Director. Fred served as Special Counsel to New Mexico Attorney General Tom Udall from 1991-1998. In that capacity, he was the architect of several successful legislative initiatives and was in charge of New Mexico’s lawsuit against the tobacco industry, which resulted in a $1.25 billion settlement for the state. Fred serves on the boards of Santa Fe Preparatory School and the Thornburg Foundation, and is a former trustee of his alma mater, Williams College. |
 Mandi J. Torrez is Think New Mexico’s Education Reform Director. Mandi was the 2020 New Mexico Teacher of the Year. She has a decade of experience teaching third and fourth grade in the Bernalillo Public Schools, and she was recognized as that district’s 2019 Teacher of the Year. Mandi holds a BS in Journalism and an MS in Integrated Elementary and Special Education, and before becoming a teacher, she worked at the Farmington Daily Times as the News Editor and as Copy Editor. Prior to joining Think New Mexico, Mandi served as Teacher Liaison at the Public Education Department from 2020-2022. |
Lauren Leland grew up in Albuquerque. After attending the Albuquerque Academy, she earned her BA in Mathematics and Rhetoric from the University of California, Berkeley. While in college, she managed the Cal Karate Club and Berkeley Rhetoric Society. Since graduating, Lauren has been exploring her interests in law and policy, using her broad academic background to understand political issues from unique perspectives. As an intern for the New Mexico Environmental Law Center, she used mathematics to help understand the legal impacts of equations and algorithms on environmental justice. She also acted as Field Director for State Senator Martin Hickey during his reelection campaign. Lauren is currently working as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for foster youth in Albuquerque.
