Honoring Sandra Ortsman

Born from a profound desire to elevate the spirit of humanity, the NMHA aims to shed light on the incredible contributions made by individuals, organizations, and businesses dedicated to humanitarian goals. Every year, this distinguished recognition program highlights those who have embodied an outstanding spirit of humanity on local, national, and international stages, reminding us all of the power of compassion and dedication.

On Thursday, August 15th, 2024, Encuentro witnessed a moment of profound significance at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Albuquerque presenting the 2024 NMHA at Casino Sandia, where our very own board president, **Sandra Ortsman**, was honored for her exceptional contributions to social justice and the advancement of racial and gender equity. With immense joy and pride, we celebrate Sandra’s achievement, not just as a personal victory but as a testament to the values we hold dear as an organization.

### A Champion for Social Justice: About Ortsman

Sandra Ortsman is a seasoned community planner and passionate advocate for social justice. Sandra has dedicated herself to advancing racial and gender equity through strategic planning, organizational development, fundraising, and access to capital initiatives. Her work spans a broad spectrum including foundations, educational institutions, grassroots organizations, and state entities.
Sandra holds dual Master’s degrees in Community and Regional Planning and Latin American Studies from the University of New Mexico (UNM). Her academic achievements, coupled with her bilingual abilities in English and Spanish, have enabled her to connect deeply with diverse communities and foster collaborative relationships across cultural boundaries.

Sandra also serves as an adjunct instructor at the UNM School of Architecture and Planning, where she educates future leaders on community-based practice. Each fall, she shares her expertise and passion, teaching students skills to engage and uplift marginalized communities.
Since 2015 Sandra has been an instrumental member of Encuentro’s board and has led as its President since 2018. Encuentro is a nonprofit dedicated to social justice, immigrant rights education a

(L-R) Board Member Claudia Medina, Encuentro’s Development Director Julia Cusatis, Board Member Patricia Telles, Board President Sandra Ortsman, Communications Manager Ilse Grijalva, Coordinador of Economic Opportunities Rosalina Lopez, HHA Director Leah Steimel & CHW Norma Casasnd career development. Her commitment transcends the typical board member’s role, dedicating countless hours to the role. Sandra has been pivotal in guiding strategic planning, broadening the organization’s support network, and offering insightful mentorship to leadership.

Her dedication to community service is further evidenced by her involvement on various boards and committees dedicated to civil rights, anti-racism, and community health. From 2006 to early 2015, Sandra was the Associate Director at Enlace Comunitario, an immigrant rights organization working to eliminate domestic violence. In that role, she served as a member of Albuquerque’s Violence Prevention Task Force. In 2015, she founded a consulting firm to build capacity and financial resources for social justice nonprofits and like-minded foundations. In that role, she supports vital organizations like Centro Savila, the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center and the Southwest Women’s Law Center. She also works with Nusenda Credit Union, Roanhorse Consulting and other CDFIs to develop loan programs that have provided millions in loan funding to Native American and immigrant entrepreneurs. Her influence extends through her roles on the New Mexico Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and as a fellow of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Community Leadership Class II Network, amongst other notable positions.

Encuentro’s family supporting Sandra on her Special Day

Congratulations and thank you, Sandra! Your instrumental role in the growth of Encuentro has been invaluable. Your expertise, enthusiasm, and commitment are vital to our success, and we deeply appreciate your leadership and the meaningful work you continue to do. 🏅

Learn more about this recognition