ALBUQUERQUE – Today, Emerge New Mexico, the most successful recruiting and training program to advance the number of Democratic women and non-binary leaders serving in public office in the State, announces the next stage of its evolution with a new Executive Director, Estela Hernandez.

"I am honored and excited to unite my passions, skills, and strengths to lead Emerge New Mexico and make a lasting impact on the representation of women and non-binary individuals in politics," said Estela Hernandez. "Recent events in our county highlight the urgency of addressing systemic inequalities and amplifying the voices of underrepresented communities.

As a Latina who has lived abroad, I have witnessed and experienced the transformative power of a more inclusive democracy. I am dedicated to driving this change by empowering women and non-binary individuals from the New American Majority – Black, Brown, and Indigenous women and women of color, as well as LGBTQ+, young, and unmarried women – to bring their invaluable perspectives and expertise to public office at all levels of government."

Estela is a dynamic multi-sector leader whose richly diverse career is dedicated to improving the quality of life for historically underrepresented communities. She brings a wealth of skills and unique talents to this role, drawing from her experience in leadership coaching, political advocacy, campaign management, executive management, public health, and adult education.

Born and raised in Las Cruces, Estela graduated with a Bachelor of Community Health degree from New Mexico State University. She then moved to Illinois to work in HIV prevention at the Lake County Health Department. Estela furthered her education at the Illinois Institute of Art - Chicago and earned her MBA in Design Strategy from California College of the Arts - San Francisco before returning to Las Cruces in 2012. Upon her return, Estela launched Elevar Coaching & Consulting (previously Spinnov8), taught Women's Health Issues and Human Sexuality as a College Assistant Professor in the NMSU Department of Public Health Sciences, and served as an Enterprise Advisor at Arrowhead Center. She later launched the Arrowhead Innovation Fund where she served as Managing Director and President and became one of only two Kauffman Fellows in New Mexico, joining an exclusive network of global investors and entrepreneurs driving innovation.

Estela is a graduate of Emerge New Mexico's signature training class, Class of 2022. Her political advocacy began in 2001 with her work with the Tobacco Free Las Cruces Coalition, advocating for a city ordinance banning smoking in bars and restaurants in Las Cruces six years before a Statewide ban was passed. More recently, she served as the Latino Constituency Organizing Director on U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez's campaign team in 2022. Estela was elected Chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Doña Ana County in 2023. During the 2023 and 2024 New Mexico State Legislative Sessions, Estela advocated for crucial legislation, including NM House Bill 7: Reproductive and Gender Affirming Care, and NM Senate Bill 3: Paid Family & Medical Leave Act, as well as financial allocations for the New Mexico Behavioral Health Providers Association, NM Coalition of Sexual Assault Providers, NM Child Advocacy Services, and Civil Legal Services.

"Estela is a powerhouse in her own right, and we are thrilled to have her take the reins and advance the objectives of Emerge New Mexico," said Randi McGinn, a trial lawyer and board member of Emerge New Mexico.

Emerge New Mexico's mission is to increase the number of Democratic women and non-binary leaders in public office through recruitment and training, and by providing a powerful support network. Emerge New Mexico was founded in 2006. Since then, it has trained over 400 women and non-binary individuals to run for public office. In the 2022 general election, Emerge New Mexico alumni had a 97 percent win rate. More than 100 alums currently serve in public office across New Mexico and in the federal government, including: Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury, 2 of 5 Supreme Court Justices, 7 of 10 Court of Appeals judges, 20 New Mexico State House Representatives, 5 New Mexico State Senators, and multiple leaders on city councils and county commissions throughout the State.