Strengthen our Community, Families, & Workforce in Santa Fe County
Staff
LETTY NARANJO
Adult Education Senior Director at SFCC
Executive Director for Literacy Volunteers of Santa Fe
Letty Naranjo became the Senior Director of Adult Education in 2010 and her experience and leadership skills have exceeded her reputation. She has worked for Santa Fe Community College for thirty-seven years. How many people can say that about any institution? She has also served as Executive Director for Literacy Volunteers of Santa Fe for twenty-seven years. It takes a uniquely dedicated individual such as Letty to commit to the growth and fluctuation of a college that has now become a centerpiece in Santa Fe. Letty deserves credit for institutional growth at SFCC as she has been a long-time ambassador to the local community. There are no statistics for the number of students, volunteers and supporters she has generated over the years, but we’re sure that number would be very high. Letty’s character for professionalism and positivity is what draws folks to SFCC from all walks of life to work together towards the common goal of improving lives and families. She exemplifies the mission of SFCC in her welcoming spirit that is equally respectful to students, colleagues, volunteers, legislators as well as statewide and nationwide affiliates.
Amanda Rivera de Garcia, ESL Literacy Coordinator
Amanda has a BA in Elementary Education with a TESOL endorsement. She has worked in adult education for 10 years and is bilingual in Spanish and English. Amanda likes to garden and cook in her free time.
Mary DuBose, Literacy Program Specialist
Mary delights in living in the desert southwest and appreciates the richness and diversity of our community. With her degree in psychology she is inspired by the challenges and resilience of our students.
Carrie Morgan Cannella, Basic Literacy Coordinator
Carrie has worked in adult education for 15 years as a teacher, education specialist, tutor, and writing coach. Her education is in English Education, ESL, and creative writing. She is a lifelong learner and lover of words who is passionate about supporting students in their learning. She enjoys reading and writing, camping and hiking, and listening to music in her spare time.
Board of Directors
Tom Stewart, President
BA, University of Colorado. JD, John Marshall Law School, Chicago. He is a third generation attorney, who practiced law in Oak Park, IL, before retiring in Santa Fe in 2018. He has participated in homeless, food assistance and social justice issues for over 30 years.
Chris Howson, Vice President
Chris joined Literacy Volunteers of Santa Fe in 2017 and became the volunteer director of LVSF’s Citizenship Program in 2018. He is honored to serve on the board of LVSF in support of the students and their community, its superb support staff and its critically important programs. Born in Brazil and living the US, Chris knows first-hand the many gifts that English literacy bestows. He serves on the board of the Upaya Zen Center and Institute in Santa Fe, volunteers for other local organizations and is a docent for the Santa Fe Opera. Chris and his wife, Marie, have lived in Santa Fe since 2016.
Maria Ortiz, Treasurer
Maria was born and raised in Friona, Texas, and moved to Santa Fe in 1994. She has two young adult sons, Luis Fernando Horta and Roberto Jaime Horta. Maria has worked for Zia Credit Union as one of the Mortgage Loan Officers for two years and previously worked as a Housing Counselor with The Housing Trust. Maria’s hobbies are dancing, camping, hiking, and being with friends and family.
Arthur Panaro, Secretary
Athur is a tutor and in his second cycle as a board member. His profession has been clinical mental health counseling since 1994. He also holds an MA in philosophy. He is about to publish a fifth book of essays titled COMMON AND UNCOMMON SENSE. More on his website arthurpanaro.com
Consuelo Byrd
Consuelo Del Rosario Byrd joined Literacy Volunteers of Santa Fe as a student in 2016. Consuelo relocated to Santa Fe in August 2010 and has been working in various schools and with adults as a Spanish teacher. While still living in Mexico City, Consuelo used her BS in Communication Sciences working for the Mexico Secretary of Tourism, as well as Televisa, one of the world leaders in Spanish-speaking media. “LVSF helps me to prepare for career opportunities in the United States.”
Carmelita M. Topaha
Carmelita Topaha is a member of the Navajo Nation near the Four Corners Area. She has taught at San Juan College and Navajo Community College. Carmelita has a Bachelor‘s degree in Anthropology and a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Ceramics. She is an Instructor for Indigenous Pottery at Santa Fe Community College. A Native artist in pottery, drawing, painting, and New Mexico Tin Smithing. Carmelita’s quotes: “Literacy is to braid, to interweave, and to unravel the unknown.”
Keren James
Sophia Garrett
Linda Osborne
Linda Osborne moved to Santa Fe in 1998 from San Francisco where she had run a doctor-owned medical malpractice insurance program, the Physicians Reimbursement Fund, for 200 surgeons in the Bay Area. Prior to that she had been a freelance medical writer/graphics consultant for non-profit clients, including local hospitals, the Cancer Society, UCSF School of Nursing, and the American Medical Association. A graduate of Connecticut College, she later attended San Francisco Law School. In Santa Fe she has been involved with the Farmers’ Market Institute, Espanola Humane Shelter, and St Vincent Hospital Foundation. She was an ESL and Basic Literacy tutor for LVSF for over ten years and is happy to be returning to the Board of directors.