 Elizabeth Farrington is an Albuquerque native who is currently studying Political Science at the University of Southern California. Elizabeth’s interest in politics began in 2018 after volunteering for Beto O’Rourke’s senate and presidential campaigns while attending Albuquerque High School. She also worked as an AVID Tutor in Albuquerque Public Schools. Before attending USC, Elizabeth served as a canvasser for the successful “Stop The Stadium” campaign in Albuquerque, as well as the 2021 Georgia Senate runoffs. While at USC, Elizabeth worked for the Karen Bass for Mayor campaign and completed a summer program in Washington D.C. with Dr. Frank Luntz, before interning with Adam Frisch’s congressional campaign in 2022. In the future, Elizabeth plans to continue working in policy and campaigns in the Southern and Southwestern United States, focusing on infrastructure and voter engagement in rural areas. |
 Jules Hanisee was born and raised in Albuquerque, and is a graduate of Bosque School. She is currently an undergraduate student at Tulane University majoring in Political Science and French, and minoring in Gender-based Violence. Jules was elected to Tulane’s student government as a Sustainability and Divestment delegate, she writes for the student newspaper, and she works at a New Orleans Law firm. They are also an editorial intern at Ms. Magazine. Throughout high school, they captained the Mock Trial team, taught tennis, and served as the president of Bosque’s Thespian Troupe and Gender and Sexuality Alliance. Jules is particularly passionate about voting rights and civic engagement, LGBTQ+ affairs, and sustainability initiatives. This year, Jules worked with Headcount, an organization that promotes voter registration at festivals and concerts, to expand voting access to college students in the southern United States. In her spare time, Jules enjoys writing, playing piano, and cooking. After graduation, they plan to attend law school and work in public policy.
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 Tanya Ruiz was born and raised in Santa Fe. She is currently a junior at the University of Denver pursuing two bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and Psychology, along with a minor in Socio-legal Studies. In high school, Tanya interned with Santa Fe Dreamers Project, which sparked her passion for serving the immigrant community in New Mexico. She also volunteered with New Era Colorado during the 2022 midterm elections to help increase voter turnout among college students. At college, Tanya is a member and secretary of DU’s Ignite chapter, a nationwide organization that provides support for women in politics. In her free time, Tanya enjoys reading, painting, and spending time outdoors. After graduation, she plans to attend law school and continue working with the immigrant community in New Mexico and the southern United States.
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 Jesús Eduardo Sánchez grew up in Rio Rancho and is currently enrolled in a BA/MA program through the University of New Mexico’s Political Science department, where he has also been recognized as an honors student. Jesús is also pursuing a BA in Honors Interdisciplinary Liberal Arts, with his capstone project being a student-led conference about student wellness on college campuses. On campus, Jesús has been involved in ASUNM Senate, UNM College Democrats, the Agora Crisis Center, and the student publication Scribendi. Jesús is passionate about reducing economic inequality, and he has received a Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship to research the question of which government programs are most effective at reducing inequality. Jesús has previously interned with Representative Melanie Stansbury and the New Mexico Legislative Education Study Committee. After graduation, Jesús plans to pursue a career in policy analysis so that he can continue to shape public policy in ways that improve people’s lives.
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 Andrew Schumann grew up in Rio Rancho and is New Mexico’s 2023 Truman Scholar. He served as Student Body President of College and Career High School, which he graduated from in 2020. Andrew also attended Central New Mexico Community College as a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society, earning six associate degrees by the time he graduated from high school. While pursuing dual bachelor’s degrees in History and Political Science at the University of New Mexico, Andrew served as President of the UNM College Democrats, Chief Justice of the ASUNM Student Court, and worked as a Fred Harris Congressional Intern for U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez. He is currently completing his Master’s degree in History at UNM, with plans to pursue a Ph.D. in History or Social Policy. As the child of union organizers, Andrew hopes to bridge historical understanding and policymaking in order to advance economic justice and worker’s rights.
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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 capacity as a leader of the all-volunteer Albuquerque Wildlife Federation, Kristina helps organize ecological restoration projects on lands across New Mexico, and she writes and distributes the organization’s monthly newsletter, the Pine Cone. She is active in land, water, and environmental justice issues across New Mexico.
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.
