The UNM Parent & Family Association hosts annual board elections every spring. If you would like to get involved, please send us an email at parenta@unm.edu!
Liz Abeyta - Co-Chair
Sani Hogan - Co-Chair
Sani lives in Boerne, Texas and has worked for Citi Private Bank for 21 years. She is the mother of Wesley Payne, a Senior at UNM majoring in Film & Digital media with a concentration in Game Design. She is the President of PFLAG Boerne and the founder and President of Kaleidoscope Hearts youth connection. She partners with local and federal law enforcement as well as other organizations in order to provide a safe and productive environment for all. Sani currently sits on the Kendall Country Behavioral Health Advisory Council, focusing on mental health and substance use issues. Sani just assisted BISD with updating their special education program. As the parent of a medically complex child, and child with learning disabilities, Sani takes great pride in ensuring that every student, parent and teacher has the support needed to excel academically, physically and emotionally.
Cathy Allen
Cathy is the mother of Tabby Allen, a sophomore majoring in Nutrition and Dietetics. Cathy works as Executive Assistant to the City Council for the City of Beaumont, TX and serves as secretary of the Friends of the Beaumont Public Library and as a deacon, church clerk and various other roles at Calder Baptist Church. She is married to her high school sweetheart Kenny. Cathy enjoys serving on the board of the UNMPFA as it allows her to stay connected and involved in her daughter’s education and also work with great people in the UNM community!
Vanessa Jones
Vanessa is the Head of the Primary School (PreK-3rd Grade) at Holland Hall, an independent school in Tulsa, where she lives with her husband, Chris. Their youngest son, Mace, is a sophomore at the University of New Mexico studying history, and their daughter is in her second year of law school at the University of Minnesota. Their oldest son Zach and his family live near them in Oklahoma.
Debbie Velarde
Debbie currently lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico and a proud mother of two daughters. Her daughter Alyssa is a sophomore at UNM majoring in adolescent psychology. Debbie is a UNM Alumni. We are a proud UNM family, Go Lobos!
Kerry Leigh Stiles - Vice-Chair
Kerry Leigh lives in Albuquerque and is the mother of a Freshman who is studying Nuclear Engineering at UNM. Her 2 older children graduated from UNM in 2018 and 2022, with dual degrees in International Relations and History with a Minor in Arabic, and Political Science and Philosophy with a Pre-Law Concentration. With her husband, Dr. Trey Stiles, D.C., Kerry Leigh owns and runs a Chiropractic Wellness Clinic in Albuquerque: Network Chiropractic of Albuquerque, where she fulfills many roles. She loves helping individuals and communities optimize their health, lives and relationships - and has devoted her life to this through her practice and work, community building, and giving back to communities both local and global. A favorite aphorism is “It is better to light a candle, than to curse the darkness” and Kerry Leigh is delighted to bring her light to the UNMPFA to serve the Board and the UNM community.
Veda Curry
Veda is the mother of two sons. Her youngest son is a Sophomore at UNM majoring in Construction Management. Veda's oldest son is a senior at UNL. Veda has a Bachelor’s Degree in Physiology from Michigan State University and Masters in Business Administration from Central Michigan University. "I believe in the pursuit and power of higher education. I look forward to helping other parents with this transition time for their children."
Elsa Mendoza
Elsa Mendoza lives in Anthony NM and has been a resident of NM since 1995. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in History with a Minor in Religious Studies from New Mexico State University (NMSU), and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Leadership Communication at NMSU. Elsa am married and has a 27 year daughter who graduated from UNM in 2018, with Bachelor’s Degrees in Chemistry and Anthropology; a 24 year old son who graduated from NMSU in 2023 with a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering with a Minor in Math; and a 19 year old daughter who is starting her second year at UNM majoring in Computer Engineering and still thinking about a Minor. Elsa is glad to serve with the UNM Parent & Family Association.
Suzanne Pearlman
Suzanne Pearlman (she/her) is the parent to a Sophomore at UNM who is studying film. Professionally she is a national expert in curricula development and facilitation of training programs, with a specialization on adaptations aimed at promoting equity and access. She has over 20 years of experience designing and implementing innovative curricula content, particularly within Indigenous communities, higher education systems, corporate environments, and government systems. As a national trainer for public health programs, she facilitates train-the-trainer and community courses for thousands each year and provides ongoing community mentorship and technical assistance to ensure responsiveness to the evolving needs of diverse populations. Prior to her consulting work, Ms. Pearlman spearheaded behavioral health system transformation efforts at state and national levels.
Christina O'Connell
Christina O’Connell lives in Albuquerque and is a proud Lobo alum. She received her Bachelors of Science in Nursing and Doctorate of Nursing practice degrees from UNM. She and her husband (also a UNM alum) are proud parents to three wonderful children. Her daughter is entering her second year as an Exercise Science major at UNM, her son graduated from UNM in 2023, and oldest her daughter is attending graduate school out of state. Christina is excited to be part of the UNMPFA board and help support families during this exciting journey.
