NMDWS Cabinet Secretary Sarita Nair
NMDWS News:
ALBUQUERQUE — A new statewide leadership training series launched today as the state aims to strengthen New Mexico’s response to homelessness and housing instability.
The five-session series will cover leadership, data storytelling, equitable staffing, financial stewardship, and trauma-informed critical incident debriefing. The initiative combines expert-led training with facilitated peer conversations, creating space for leaders to share proven strategies, align efforts and address real-time challenges facing communities across the state.
The training was made available to nonprofit directors, managers, and decision-makers serving individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Registration hit capacity with 50 leaders from across the state registering to join the training.
Led by the Office of Housing in partnership with the New Mexico Highlands University Center for Excellence in Social Work and CNM Ingenuity, the paid, virtual training series brings nonprofit leaders together to gain valuable skills to bolster their organizations and collaborate to develop community-driven solutions to homelessness.
“The Office of Housing asked organizations that work to end homelessness all across the state what they need to thrive, and this training series was designed to provide the support they said they needed,” said New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS) Cabinet Secretary Sarita Nair. “The training series supports community leaders with the tools and resources they need to strengthen their organizations and advance community-driven solutions.”
“CNM is proud to partner with the Office of Housing and New Mexico Highlands University to deliver high-quality, customized training that will help equip our non-profit leaders with more skills, more connections, and more momentum as they tackle some of our state’s most pressing challenges,” CNM President Tracy Hartzler said. “We’re honored to support the critical work of these leaders who carry so much weight in caring for our most vulnerable New Mexicans. By investing in their professional growth, wellbeing, and capacity, we strengthen the organizations they lead and advance a more connected and resilient New Mexico.”
“This Leadership Academy reflects what is possible when we listen deeply to community expertise and support leaders and providers in their impactful work,” said Center for Excellence in Social Work Director Ana Nelson, PhD, LCSW. “We are profoundly grateful to the leaders and providers across New Mexico who shared their wisdom, shaped this work, and continue to serve with compassion, resilience, and integrity. It is an honor for the Center for Excellence in Social Work to be a part of this collaborative initiative to strengthen systems that support people experiencing homelessness.”
All sessions are delivered virtually. Participants who complete all five required sessions will receive a $500 stipend and educational credit. The project is funded by the Office of Housing within the Department of Workforce Solutions.
The first training session started today. The next session, a leadership community conversation, will take place on Friday, Feb. 6.
About NMDWS:
The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS) oversees the New Mexico public workforce system. The department is committed to supporting the business community through special recruitment, analyzing hard to fill jobs, layoffs, job fairs, and skills assessments for hiring; and assisting New Mexicans seeking employment opportunities with job search, job referrals and placement, and customized skill development such as interviewing skills and resume writing. The department administers programs to include business services; workforce training; Unemployment Insurance; labor law enforcement; veterans’ services; and labor market information. In 2025, NMDWS expanded to include the Office of Housing.