Elaine Sanchez (she/her) RDH, MA
Executive Director
Elaine Sanchez is the Executive Director of NAPPR, Inc. Before joining NAPPR in 2015 as the Director of the Dental Support Center, Elaine had an extensive career in various public health settings. Her most notable positions were administrative roles at various dental hygiene education programs, including being an Associate Professor at the University of New Mexico. Her early professional experiences focused on education, patient care and research. Subsequently, her career has given rise to an affinity for the business aspects that support community public health.
Elaine is deeply committed to serving, educating, and enabling those who are less fortunate. Being born and raised in New Mexico has built this passion by allowing her to see firsthand the needs of families and communities around the state. She brings her enthusiasm, energy, and drive to NAPPR’s desire to care for more children and families in need.
Elaine has a Master of Arts in Organizational Learning and Instructional Technologies as well as both Bachelor and Associate of Science degrees in Dental Hygiene.
Arra Carbajal (she/her), B.A.
Director, Early Head Start Program
Arra began working with NAPPR in 2009, serving eleven years as the Early Head Start director. She has more than 22 years in early childhood care and education as a classroom teacher, administrator, technical assistance provider, home visitor, child care provider and grant reviewer throughout New Mexico.
Aliandra Maes (she/her) (RDH, BS)
Director, Dental Support Center
Aliandra is a graduate from the University of New Mexico with a bachelor’s degree in Dental Hygiene. A lifelong resident of New Mexico, she moved to southern California for a few years early in her dental hygiene career. Along with her husband and son, she returned to the Albuquerque area and made her family’s home in Los Lunas.
Tribal Home Visiting
Cathy
Program Manager
Cathy is from Zuni Pueblo and began working for NAPPR in August 2014 and received her degree in Early Childhood Multicultural Education at the University of New Mexico that same year. As a student, she worked part-time at the Women’s Resource Center as Program Assistant for the Breastfeeding Support Program. In her position, Cathy provided support and resources to students, staff, faculty and their partners/spouses who chose to breastfeed their children after returning to work or school. Cathy enjoys working with children and families in the Native communities and helping them to become empowered and have healthy relationships with their children and families. She enjoys traveling back home and spending time with family and friends, and watching movies and tv shows in her spare time.
Lauren
Tribal Home Visitor
Lauren moved from Washington state to New Mexico in 2020 and has worked with children for many years as a preschool teacher. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Creative Writing along with an endorsement in secondary education. Lauren has greatly enjoyed the community in Albuquerque and enjoys exploring the surrounding areas. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, climbing, reading, and relaxing with her family.
Kelly
Tribal Home Visitor
Born in Tucson, Arizona. Kelly grew up on the White Mountain Apache Reservation, with occasional trips to the Four Corners Area of Northern Arizona (Navajo Reservation). The summer before High School began, her family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico. She has always wanted to help others. She knew working in the health field or any field that would help others, is what she was going to do. She received her Certification as a Clinical Medical Assistant in 2018. In 2020, the pandemic struck, she became a Covid-19 Contact Tracer for the Navajo Nation. Now that the pandemic has run its course, she continues to focus on being a helping hand in her community.
Sarah L.
Tribal Home Visitor
Sarah brings 20+ years of working in preschools, head starts and with the Rio Rancho Public Schools. It brings her much joy being part of Tribal Home Visiting. She feels NAPPR is an organization that helps children reach their full potential. Her goal has always been to help parents/families enhance their child’s abilities and finds she can do so here at NAPPR. Being born and raised New Mexican brings a passion of wanting our children in New Mexico communities to reach for the stars and NAPPR helps take the first positive steps in that direction, which she is excited to be part of!
Sarah RJ.
Tribal Home Visitor
Sarah began her education career working with infants and toddlers in her home community of Laguna Pueblo 25 years ago. Of those years, 10 years were spent in the classroom and 9 years as a home visitor with the Early Head Start program. Most recently she gained experience working with elementary aged children as an Educational Assistant before joining the NAPPR team. In her free time, she enjoys reading, listening to music, getting outdoors, and spending time with her husband, 5 children and 2 grandsons.
Danica Tom
Tribal Home Visitor
Bio coming soon.
Early Intervention
Heather
Infant Mental Health Specialist (LMSW)
Heather (Pueblo of Zuni/Navajo) began her career working with homeless youth and their families. This experience eventually led her to pursue a Master’s in Social Work from New Mexico State University. She hopes to utilize her degree to join efforts in strengthening Native families and communities.
Natalie
Database Coordinator
Natalie found an enjoyment for working with data while studying psychology at UNM and has been determined to use her spreadsheet powers for good ever since. Her favorite past professional experiences have been working and volunteering for organizations like Roadrunner Food Bank, SNAP Outreach, NM Health Care Authority, and Agora Crisis Center. Now at NAPPR since December 2024, she enjoys working behind the scenes to keep the administrative gears turning in support of our service providers and families. In her free time, she likes to explore-nature, books, food, music, movies, and fun things going on around town.
Sandra
Database Assistant
Sandra (Pueblo of Laguna) has been with NAPPR for more than 20 years, beginning her employment in 1995. She began as a part-time receptionist and later as a Data Entry/File Clerk and was later promoted to Database Specialist. Sandra is currently the Early Intervention program assistant. With 23 years of experience at NAPPR, she has enjoyed watching NAPPR grow and succeed. She has an Associates in Secretarial Studies from TVI. Sandra enjoys working at NAPPR and is dedicated to her work family.
Shelby
Quality Assurance Specialist
Shelby began working at NAPPR in July 2025. Prior to joining the team, she spent three years at another Early Intervention agency in New Mexico, where she worked her way up from FSC/DS to supervisor and eventually to Quality Assurance Manager. She loves working in Early Intervention because it allows her to support families during such an important time, guiding them through their child’s development while watching their children grow and reach new milestones. Shelby earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychological Sciences from the University of Arizona in 2018. During her time there, she volunteered in a research lab focused on the effects of the APOE4 gene and its role in Alzheimer’s disease. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with er husband, two dogs, and cat, as well as gaming with her friends.
Tanner
Administrative Assistant
Bio coming soon.
Early Head Start
Cecilia “Cece”
Education, Mental Health and Disabilities Coordinator
After being a classroom teacher for more than 20 years, Cece believes in successful outcomes are the result of how well you connect with the parents of the children you are serving. She received a Bachelor’s in Family Studies from the University of New Mexico and a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Capella University. She is a current member of the National Head Start Association, the New Mexico Head Start Association, the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the Institute of Divine Metaphysical Research and the New Mexico Association for Infant Mental Health.
Christen
Health, Nutrition, and Safe Environments Coordinator
Christen joined NAPPR, Inc. in 2022. She received her B.A. in Indigenous and American Indian Studies from Haskell Indian Nations University and is currently pursuing a M.A. in Family and Child Studies with a concentration in Human Development and Family Relations from the University of New Mexico. Christen enjoys working with families and children within the Native communities of New Mexico, promoting education, health, culture and language. In her free time, she enjoys visiting family, friends, traveling and playing volleyball.
Gail
Early Head Start Home Visitor
Gail is a Home Visitor for Native American Professional Parent Resources, Inc. (NAPPR) Early Head Start program in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She has worked in the field of Early Childhood. She received her formal education from the University of New Mexico in Family Studies. Ms. Salas interest is working with American Indian families to improve health outcomes.
Tiffany
Early Head Start Home Visitor
Tiffany is from Isleta Pueblo and has been working with NAPPR since March of 2025 and is currently going to school to obtain her AA in Early Childhood Multicultural Education at Central New Mexico Community College. She has 22 years of dedicated service supporting the growth and development of young children from newborn through preschool age. Her professional background includes extensive experience in both the classroom as a teacher and as a personal nanny, allowing her to build strong, nurturing relationships with children and families. She focuses on promoting early learning, developmental milestones, and positive parent-child interactions through individualized support. In addition, Tiffany has served as a mentor to her previous co-workers. Offering guidance, support, and sharing best practices to strengthen team success. She is passionate about empowering families and fostering a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
Sylvia
Early Head Start Home Visitor
Bio coming soon.
Dollie
Center Operations Lead/ Lead Teacher
Dollie has been working with children in Head Start programs for 10 years. She has her Early Childhood Multicultural Education certificate with UNM as well as her Child Development Association Certificate which nationally recognized. Dollie is currently working towards her Associates in Early Childhood Multicultural Education Degree at Central New Mexico Community College.
Roxana
Early Head Start Teacher
Roxana has been working with children in Head Start programs for 10 years. She has her Child Development Certificate from Central New Mexico Community College, where she is also working towards obtaining her degree in Early Childhood Multicultural Education. Roxana loves working with children because they brighten up our day and she loves to watch them grow.
Kathy
Early Head Start Teacher
Born in Albuquerque and raised in Mexico, mom of two kids. With a lot of desire to continue improving herself day by day. To this day she still attending school on Central New Mexico Collage and her major is early childhood education, her goal is graduate and be a better person personally and professionally and learn more to understand her students at the center and help them with their needs. She is so happy that NAPPR gave her the opportunity to work with them and be a part of this community. Kathy thinks of all of us like a teacher, we can make a difference with the kids because the first years of life of the children are the base for a better future for themselves.
Lorysa
Early Head Start Teacher
Bio coming soon.
Lyndia
Early Head Start Teacher
Bio coming soon.
Lawrence
Early Head Start Cook
Lawrence has been in the cooking and food service industry for 17 years. From bussing tables to line cook to cold room prep to chef, he has stepped down from big restaurants and casinos to aid young children with health and meal education. Introducing new foods to young children and making good, wholesome meals makes him happy as he’s able to teach children about foods, knowing they will always leave school full and healthy.
Dental Support Center
Administration
Mike
Operations and Facilities Coordinator
Mike grew up in a small-town northeast of Niagara Falls, New York, and began working for NAPPR in October 2025. He joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 17, serving for more than 10 years and traveling extensively throughout his service. Following his military career, Mike studied architecture at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and at Drury University in Springfield, Missouri. He enjoys traveling, skiing, bicycling, and taking advantage of the many outdoor activities that New Mexico has to offer. Mike is also passionate about automotive racing and restoration, pursuits that keep him busy while connecting him to his family’s history in the automotive community. when time permits and he finally slows down, he enjoys a good movie, cheering for the Buffalo Bills, and relaxing with his family.
Brittany
Receptionist
Born and raised in Albuquerque Brittany has always wanted to help her community thrive and improve. NAPPR has given her the opportunity to begin connecting families to resources that can enrich the lives of infants, toddlers, and caregivers. She is a strong believer that a smile and support can make the biggest difference in someone’s life. Being a mother herself, she hopes to work closely with families and assist them to being the best they can be. Her ultimate goal is to improve the future for our youth
Tracy Sanchez
Chair
LCDR Sanchez has extensive business and finance experience as an Executive Officer in the Indian Health Service. In addition to a clinical background in social work, Tracy is a physician assistant. Tracy Sanchez is from the Pueblo of Acoma.
Steve Tetrev
Secretary
Dr. Steve Tetrev has a vast knowledge of the Indian Health Service medical and dental services which is supported by a multitude of advanced academic business degrees. Steve is a retired Captain of the US Public Health Service.
Isabel Quepons
Member
Bio coming soon
Randall Cooper
Member
Mr. Cooper is a regional business operations and transformation executive with over 18 years history leading strategic and tactical business initiatives. In addition, he has over 23 years’ experience as a certified police officer and is currently working as a substitute teacher with Albuquerque Public Schools. Mr. Cooper is committed to promoting the highest standards and values. Randall grew up in southern Alaska and is from the Tlingit tribe.