CHART PROJECT TEAM
The CHART team will facilitate community engagement activities over the course of the project. They are charged with LISTENING to the residents
of the city and county of Santa Fe through a wide range of programs
designed to reach Santa Feans of all zip codes, backgrounds, ages,
and neighborhoods.
Click on a photo to read a team member bio.
“Maureen Burdock is an artist, author, and teacher. Long ago, her maternal family fled the Spanish Inquisition, leaving the Iberian Peninsula and eventually resettling in what was Silesia, Germany, before 1946 (contemporary western Poland). Her grandmother was an avid nationalist during the Second World War, but later a refugee, as she and her children fled the encroaching Russian Army. Decades later, when Maureen was seven, her mother fled with her to the United States to escape domestic violence. Burdock grew up as an outsider, deeply affected by her mother’s PTSD and intense religiosity. She learned to use art and writing to make sense of her experiences of gender-based violence, displacement, and toxic nationalism and religious fanaticism. Today, Burdock creates and studies literature and comics in response to trauma. She is interested in how personal stories can disrupt xenophobic, racist, and sexist master narratives. Burdock belongs to several communities: her family and chosen family, scattered across Europe and North America; a circle of deep friendships in Northern New Mexico, composed of people of all ages from richly varied backgrounds; and her transnational community of artists, activists, and educators. Burdock is working on The Queen of Snails, a graphic memoir about gendered experiences of violence and displacement across generations. She earned a PhD in cultural studies from University of California, Davis, an MFA in fine art and MA in visual critical studies from California College of the Arts, and a BFA in studio art from Santa Fe University of Art and Design.” 87505, Age Range: 51-60, 10 years in Santa Fe, Languages: English, German
“For the Navajo people, introducing yourself is about more than just telling someone your name. It's about sharing where you come from. The clan is really important for us to identify ourselves. Navajos will ask for your clan to define you from where you live and with your own meaning and a story behind it. I'm originally from Upper Fruitland, a small community within the Navajo Reservation near Farmington, New Mexico. I also went to school at Kirtland Middle school, a community near where I resided. These communities are a part of the Navajo culture where I am from. I moved to Santa Fe in 2018. My favorite subject in school is Astronomy. I like to learn about galaxies and our solar system and the environment of our planet.” 87507, Age Range: 16-19, 3 years in Santa Fe, Languages: English, Diné
“I am an arts administrator with a special interest in community and economic development through the arts. Most recently I worked for a public funder and managed the distribution of approximately $1M in annual funding to over 200 arts organizations, K-12 schools, colleges and universities, and government and tribal entities including 60 organizations based in Santa Fe County. I regularly gathered the arts community through in person and online gatherings, conducted surveys and field research, and led strategic planning efforts. I’ve lived in Santa Fe for 17 years and my main community is made up of artists and writers. I’ve always straddled two cultures – American and English – as my mother was American and my father English. My mother’s family arrived on the east coast of this continent in the 1600s as settlers/colonists and still farm today. My father immigrated here in the late 1950s and I’m the first on his side of the family to be born in the US. I have dual citizenship. I’ve traveled a great deal – India, Nepal, Peru, most of Europe, including eastern Europe – and lived in England and Poland in addition to several states in the US. My mother’s early service as a teacher in India and her work on behalf of children throughout her life was my greatest inspiration to serve others as best I can. I am also a published writer, former magazine editor, and produced playwright. I have an MFA in Creative Writing and a BS in Accounting.”
“I am an artist and activist born and raised in Santa Fe. My family is from Mexico. I am a local to the Southside of Santa Fe and consider my community to be the Airport Road area. I also consider this city my home. I was previously on the intake team for Santa Fe Mutual Aid. My primary work included connecting individuals and families in need to resources available in Santa Fe County and in the state. I worked with the State Department of Finance and Administration to help people facing housing instability apply and receive aid through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. One of the campaigns I started along with other community members was the ‘Keep Santa Fe Multicultural’ group. We have focused on preservation of one of the last historic Chicano murals remaining here in Santa Fe. I am a sculptor and received a BA from the UNM in 2014. In 2013 I studied abroad at the Academy of Art, Architecture, and Design in Prague. I pursued an MFA in sculpture at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2016. My sculptural work deals with themes of power, place and infrastructure and I have shown work in the US and Prague, Czechoslovakia. My new projects explore artists’ role in gentrifying neighborhoods and the impact our current political climate has on US/Mexico relations.” 87507, Age Range: 21-30, 21 years in Santa Fe (lifelong), Languages: English, Spanish
"I am excited to be the administrative coordinator for the CHART team and feel privileged to help organize this important project. I am a new resident to Santa Fe and eager to listen and learn from the diverse communities that call this place home. I am passionate about art as a form of expression and transformation. I have a degree in Radio, Television and Film from Northwestern University. I worked in management for feature films for a decade in for companies like 20th Century Fox and Pixar Animation Studios. When my daughter was born, I chose to take step back from my professional career. Recent years have been filled with kids and chaos and with me volunteering my time to set design plays, write for a newsletter, or help our school district. I look forward to collaborative work with this amazing project team. I hope my organizational skills will be helpful in this bold attempt to look at intricate fabric of Santa Fe, unearth divisions, and find pathways for understanding and healing."
“I am a mother of 5 creative souls, a wife and partner of 18 years, and an interdisciplinary artist of African descent. My blood lineages span the diaspora including the United States, Africa, Europe, and Australia. Oga Po’geh - Santa Fe has been my home for over 10 years and I consider it an honor and privilege to grow and raise my family on this sacred ground. My great grandparents are my connection to New Mexico, they lived and were laid to rest in Roswell. I am a board member with Black Health New Mexico, a member of NM Breastfeeding Task Force, an independent artist with Vital Spaces, a member of Earthseed Black Arts Alliance, and the nonfiction editor for the Santa Fe Literary Review. Additionally, I have engaged with the community through Santa Fe city and county cleanups, as a doula, and as the co-facilitator for Sista Circle Camp. In my professional work, I create ceremonial and nature-inspired art, I am a Trainer with Childbirth International and an Olorisa of Yemoja (Lukumi). My literary works can be found in the Santa Fe Reporter, The Santa Fe Literary Review, The Mistake House, and other literary magazines. My recent artwork was featured in the Re-Centering Santa Fe "Social Structures" project with Santa Fe Art Institute and in the "Handtools of Resilience" exhibit at Form and Concept. My creative work highlights the African experience in the diaspora. My life work is to be a bridge between the communities I connect with and serve. Green chile for me!” 87508, Age Range: 41-50, 11 years in Santa Fe, Languages: English
“I was born and raised in New Mexico. I left in my late teens to go to college and, later, graduate school. I have a Ph.D. in program evaluation from Cornell University. I show art at Exhibit/208 in Albuquerque, work part-time at University of New Mexico as research faculty, and own a small consulting company that focuses on educational and community-based research and evaluation.”
VALERIE MARTINEZ, CO-DIRECTOR “I was born and raised in Santa Fe in a loving community of families descended from the Spanish colonizers and Indigenous peoples of present-day Mexico and North America. My parents were career public school teachers with a wide circle of family and friends who were both socially and civically active in the heart of Santa Fe community life. After earning my B.A. in English (Vassar College) and M.F.A. in Creative Writing/Poetry (University of Arizona) I taught as a college/university professor for over 22 years--at the University of Arizona, Ursinus College, New Mexico Highlands University, University of New Mexico, Institute for American Indian Arts (IAIA), University of Miami, and the College of Santa Fe. I am a poet, educator, arts administrator, and collaborative artist. When the College of Santa Fe closed, in 2009, I left academia and entered the field of arts and community development. I was a core team member and Executive Director with Littleglobe (based in Santa Fe), working with artist teams and community members on such large-scale projects as Lines and Circles; Common Ground TOC (Torreon/Cuba/Ojo Encino); Lifesongs; Memorylines: Voces de Nuestras Jornadas; Stories of Route 66: The International District, and Rivers Run Through Us. These projects were dedicated to community engagement that led to significant works of public art. In 2015 I founded Artful Life to continue and evolve community arts work with additional projects in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. I am also a poet, author of six books of poetry and one book of translations. I was honored to be Santa Fe’s second Poet Laureate from 2008-2010. Since 2008, my life’s work has been dedicated to engaging communities creatively to lift their voices, express their perspectives, and advocate for their needs, desires, and dreams.”
“I am an African American female who grew up in the south (North Carolina to be exact). I moved to Santa Fe from Austin, Texas where I resided for 11 years. My background is in education, first as a teacher and then as a trainer. My community is best represented as those who felt called to be a part of the Santa Fe community. From my very first visit in 2017, I knew that this felt like home. I moved here in 2019 for work and immediately sought out organizations where I could make a difference. I have joined the Santa Fe Branch of the NAACP where I am an active member and chair of two committees. I work full time as the Education Coordinator in Santa Fe County for Presbyterian Medical Services Children's Services division. In addition, I am an active member of St. Bede's where I serve as a greeter once a month. I have a B.S. in Elementary Education with a Minor in English, an M.Ed. in Instructional Technology and Design, and an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Teaching. I am fully devoted to the pursuit of teaching and learning both formally and informally. I am fully committed to improving the lives of others through education while acknowledging and paying tribute to my southern roots. I believe strongly that mother wit and good old fashioned horse sense are what makes the world go around and I prize these attributes more highly than the degrees on my wall. Recent events have only served to further ignite my passion for Santa Fe and all of its people.” 87505, Age Range: 41-50, 2.5 years living in Santa Fe, Languages: English
“Coming from a large family I learned to be conscientious and considerate of others. I learned to adapt to working with people from all backgrounds and the community in which I live. I make it a point to get to know the people and places in my community and to listen and learn about my community. I am a Vietnamese American. I am also an artist with an MFA in painting and printmaking. I have worked in the museum field for over 15 years and have lived in Santa Fe for 5 years off and on. I currently work for SITE Santa Fe but previously I worked for Turquoise Trail Charter School and, before that, at the Santa Fe Youth Symphony Association. Having held various positions in the museum field and non-profits, I have worked with people from various socio-economic backgrounds and ethnicities which have strengthened my connections to the communities I've worked with.” 87507, Age Range: 51-60, 5 years in Santa Fe, Languages: English, Vietnamese
“I come from a very Mexican family from the state of Chihuahua in Mexico. I would describe my ancestry as filled with traditions and culture. My ancestry has also taught me some very valuable lessons. It taught me why family is so important and why having so many traditions is just as important. I would describe myself as someone who has many goals in life and is willing to work as hard as needed to achieve them. I would say that I also have a mindset of jumping at any opportunity that life presents and trying not to have any regrets. The community I belong to is a great community. I think I am part of multiple communities, my neighborhood, my church, my school, and, overall, my town. I feel that I'm part of the Latino side of Santa Fe. My church is also another big community I think I am part of. We help each other as much as we can. My favorite school subject has always been math. I love that there will always just be one answer. I want to be an immigration lawyer when I'm older because the issues relating to immigration mean so much to me. Seeing how people are affected by immigration laws and their status really makes me want to help. Outside of school, I like to spend time with my family and friends. I am a big fan of making a lot of memories so I try to make them as often as I can.” 87507, Age Range: 16-19, 17 years in Santa Fe (lifelong), Languages: English, Spanish
“I am originally from New York City, the son of immigrants from Shanghai, China. I attended schools in New York and attained a Bachelor's in History from Hunter College. I moved to Santa Fe in 1992 and attained a master's degree in Community and Regional Planning from the University of New Mexico. I have been an active member of my community as a long-time contributor to local organizations such as Somos Un Pueblo and the Food Depot; as an original member of the Living Wage Roundtable; and as an active voice in the Internment Camp Monument discussion and reconciliation. My professional work has been in the fields of Planning, and Community Development working primarily with the Pueblos of New Mexico. I currently sit on the Board of Directors of the New Mexico Foundation and the Neighborhood Network in Santa Fe and am a Steering Committee member of the New Mexico Broadband Collective.” 87505, Age Range: 61-70, 29.5 years in Santa Fe, Languages: English
“I have been a public interest lawyer in Santa Fe for almost all of my 25 years of legal practice. I am trained in both western law mediation and traditional peacekeeping techniques. I have worked as a legal aid farmworker advocate, an appellate judicial law clerk, a public defender in state court, a federal appointed public defender under the Criminal Justice Act in the Tenth Circuit and New Mexico Federal Courts, a domestic violence attorney specialist for Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council, Inc, and co-leader of the legal side of the Peacekeepers program. For 5+ years I have practiced in the tribal courts of Northern NM, specializing in the area of domestic violence. I have been a tribal court judge for nearly 4 years, sitting on the panel of the Ohkay Owingeh Nanbii Wowatsi (Path to Wellness) Court. Mixed, privileged, and poor. I was raised in an adopted family and am the first in my family to go to graduate school. I grew up in rural South Dakota in a family that received government commodities to get by.” 87501, Age Range: 51-60, 27 years in Santa Fe, Languages: English, Spanish
“I am a student at Pojoaque High School and from the Pueblo of Tesuque. My ancestors were leaders, strong, and outgoing. I am very helpful and like giving back to my community. We work on helping the community by giving back to them, educating them on the effects of alcohol, tobacco, the long term effects. My favorite subjects in school are science, and math, and English. Outside school I like to stay active by going outdoors and playing baseball. I do not have any work experience but am willing to learn.” 87506, 16-19, 16 years in Santa Fe (lifelong), Languages: English, Tewa
In memoriam: Thomas A. "Tomás" Romero (1946-2022) passed away on Saturday, March 12, 2022, shortly after being diagnosed with cancer. Tomas was a beloved member of the CHART Team and we miss him dearly. "I was born in Santa Rosa, New Mexico and raised in Santa Fe. I consider myself a generational member of the New Mexican community with strong knowledge of NM history and its people. I was born of Hispanic parents, with generations of ancestors in NM tracing back to earliest colonizers and with traceable Native ancestry. My deepest experiences are rooted in rural communities and its people. More significantly, I have worked with and participated with the full range of communities in northern NM. My working career over 55 years included extensive experience in consulting, with 28 years heading my own practice, and 7 years for 2 international firms. I provided management consulting and business advisory services to government agencies, tribal governments, and businesses. I worked directly with NM state government and with the Santa Fe Community College. For the last 9 years I served as Executive Director of Northern Rio Grande Heritage Area, working with smaller communities and local governments throughout northern NM, promoting community planning, heritage development, and tourism. I’ve been an active volunteer in community organizations over the last 25 years, including as President and Board Member of El Museo Cultural, an Hispanic cultural center and community organization." 87501, Age Range: 71-80, 60 years in Santa Fe, Languages: English, Spanish
“I describe myself as many things. I am a dark-skinned young man. I am a third-generation college graduate. I am an artist, a scholar, a student, an educator, a role model, and I am a person who takes the responsibility of fulfilling these roles seriously. I am a Santa Fean, born and raised. I come from a community of laborers and artists and healers. My immediate family is an unexplored, unspoken, complex mix of Native American, Spanish, and white settlers genetically, but I was raised as “local Spanish/Hispanic”. My grandparents and parents were all born across various regions of New Mexico. My father’s parents were born in Governador, and Farmington, while my mother’s parents were born in Taos and Tucumcari. I am an international student of Global Studies passionate about social and environmental justice. I have experience in coral reef restoration, turtle hatchery projects, developing an "eco-brick" cleanup and recycling project, and as a behavioral husbandry intern at the New York Aquarium. In Santa Fe I have done community organizing work with former city councilor, Rosemary Romero, including affordable housing meetings, National Forest conferences, and contract work for the Census Bureau and NM Coalition to End Homelessness. I am a self-employed tutor and multimedia artist/graphic designer. I believe art is an invaluable tool for communication and creating positive change.” 87507, Age Range: 21-30, 25 years in Santa Fe (lifelong), Languages: English, Spanish
“I see myself as a member of a community that is filled with diversity and acceptance to all. It’s a community that allows many different cultures to exist like mine, which is Mexican. My culture has food filled with all kinds of chilis, dairy products, plus beans. It also prioritizes family over everything, and believes you are not truly dead until you're forgotten. My work experience comes from volunteering with NHS, National Honors Society, which provides me with opportunities to volunteer. An example of our teamwork would be when we did a river clean up through which we were able to clean up trash and beautify the river.” 87507, Age Range: 16-19, 16 years in Santa Fe (lifelong), Languages: English, Spanish
“I am a queer, mentally-divergent freelance artist, actor, musician, and activist who serves as a director with the Santa Fe Human Rights Alliance. I would describe myself as a traveler and as adventurous. I am both willing and open to learning and trying new things and doing my best to try to expand my worldview and practice empathy daily. I also enjoy exploring different parts of my being, as opposed to just remaining a one-dimensional person. Myself as an artist, as well as a human being, are what I would describe as colorful, eclectic, and hyper-curious. My community is extremely multilingual, multicultural, and diverse, deriving from a wide and in-depth array of history, especially in Santa Fe, NM. Additionally, I am Italian and Swedish. My Italian grandparents, great grandmother and aunt immigrated through Ellis Island, New York City in the late 1900's. I'm very proud to be a product of immigration to this country. I also graduated with honors from the Santa Fe University of Art & Design in spring 2014 with a BA in theatre performance. I earned my SAG/AFTRA card in 2016. I employ many artistic fields of expression including composing and playing music as well as appearing on multiple stages performing in theatre productions. I believe that all the different fields combined go hand in hand and can easily influence one another. Music can inspire what I draw, and that piece of art can become music. In 2016, I released a solo EP titled Starseed Phantoms.” 87507, Age Range: 21-30, 12 years in Santa Fe, Languages: English