Alex Sanchez, OFRA’s Financial Specialist, is Albuquerque born-and-raised. He earned both his Bachelor’s and MBA from the University of New Mexico (Go Lobos!) as a first-generation graduate. Before joining OFRA, Alex worked in procurement with Sandia National Labs and in advisement with UNM College of Fine Arts. In his spare time, you can catch Alex reading, watching movies, collecting records, and hanging out with his dog, Lucky. He also loves supporting his favorite soccer and basketball teams.

Carmen Cortez is OFRA’s first paralegal. With over 20 years of experience as a paralegal, she has dedicated her career to advocating for underserved communities. She has spent the majority of that time working at a nonprofit, where she assisted low-income individuals with a range of civil legal matters. Carmen is passionate about social justice and believes deeply in fairness and equity for all. Outside of work, Carmen is family-oriented and happiest when hosting a backyard BBQ or celebrating birthdays and holidays with loved ones.

Chynna Comer, OFRA’s Human Resources Manager, was born in a small town in Arizona and relocated to Albuquerque with her mom in 2003. She and her husband purchased their first home on Albuquerque’s west side in 2021, which solidified Albuquerque as her home.  Prior to coming to OFRA, she spent six years as a Human Resource Specialist with the United States Forest Service. Outside of work, she enjoys going on adventures with her two children. She’s passionate about reading and art and is currently exploring home gardening as a new hobby.

Jenessa Garay is an attorney and mother of four from Albuquerque, New Mexico’s South Valley. Her experience includes previous service as the Director of RFK Charter School’s Civic Academy empowering local at-risk youth and the teaching of history and law studies. She also previously served as the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Children’s Court Attorney (CCA) with the Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) in Bernalillo County where she strived to strengthen tribal relationships while staying true to the spirit of IFPA and ICWA in improving compliance. Jenessa is experienced in working with New Mexican and Native American children and families during their most difficult challenges. Previously, in her service as the Department’s ICWA CCA, Jenessa was involved in the launch of the 2^nd Judicial District’s ICWA Court. She has served as the Public Defender for the Pueblo of Laguna providing wholistic representation while protecting the rights of individuals including juveniles within the tribal criminal court. She has also served as special counsel in children in need of care cases for the Pueblo of Laguna and the Pueblo of Acoma Social Services. She has practiced criminal, family and employment law in the State of New Mexico and the Navajo Nation and is committed to serving and protecting vulnerable populations.

Lara Sundermann has been an attorney in New Mexico for over 20 years, with experience in child welfare law, working all sides of an abuse/neglect case—representing children, youth, parents, and CYFD. At CYFD, she was a Master Children’s Court Attorney and Managing Attorney and served in the Office of General Counsel. Lara comes to us from the New Mexico Department of Justice, where she was an Assistant Attorney General in the Special Prosecutions Bureau, with additional years of experience in criminal litigation. When not lawyering, Lara enjoys fly-fishing, gardening, golf, getting into nature, and volunteering.  Lara is a Board member of the Albuquerque nonprofit organization, Cuidando Los Ninos.

Marcie Battle, OFRA’s Access Coordinator, has worked with families and children for over 35 years in multiple roles. She worked in the Juvenile Community Corrections Program, Developmental Disabilities Waiver and Community Family Team, and the Outpatient Program at Children’s Psychiatric Hospital. Marcie’s passion is supporting and assisting people to access the systems and services that can effectively meet their needs. She also recently started a vegetable garden and is so excited to see what it yields.

Ugo Machuca, one of OFRA’s newest Family Peer Support Navigators, is a transplant from Los Angeles, CA, via New York. Ugo has been in Albuquerque for nearly two years, although he spent a good part of his first year here in Mesa, Arizona, where he focused on supporting his nephew and his son through Restorative Justice communications.