HPS News:
ALBUQUERQUE — The Hispano Philanthropic Society (HPS) proudly announces the return of its annual Leadership Speaker Series, taking place from 8–10 a.m., Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, Bank of America Theatre. The event is free with registration.
This year’s program, titled Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future, celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month by shining a spotlight on leaders whose vision, dedication, and innovation continue to shape New Mexico’s communities.
“This event is about more than recognition,” Ana Trujillo, Chair, Hispano Philanthropic Society Council said. “It’s a call to reflect on the legacy of those who came before us, and to draw inspiration from the leaders of today who are building a brighter tomorrow.”
Featured Speakers (Biographies Below)
- Zack Quintero, Executive Director, National Hispanic Cultural Center
- Maria Montoya Chavez, President & CEO, Sutin, Thayer & Browne
- Lorenzo Gutierrez, Director of Energetic Technologies & Sandia Production, Sandia National Laboratories
Attendees will hear powerful stories from these distinguished leaders, each offering a unique perspective on heritage, leadership, and the future of New Mexico. The event also provides an opportunity for community connection, bringing together professionals, families, and advocates to celebrate culture, honor history, and foster the next generation of Hispanic leaders.
Admission: Free with event registration. Registration link: https://give.uwncnm.org/event/hps-leadership-speaker-series-collective-heritage-honoring-the-past-inspiring-the-future/e718877
Speaker Bios:
Zack Quintero is a 14th-generation New Mexican from southern New Mexico (Mesilla/Las Cruces area). He is a graduate of the University of New Mexico School of Law and New Mexico State University. Zack has worked in local, state, and federal government settings throughout his career. Zack first started in government with a fellowship in the US Department of State’s Young Leaders Program, where he supported the office in reporting on the Scottish referendum and national security items. After his fellowship, Zack began his work in local government with the City of Santa Fe Economic Development Department, reporting to and directly advising Mayor Javier Gonzales on family poverty issues, the creative arts economy, and growing the next generation of young entrepreneurs in the city. After working for the City of Santa Fe, Zack attended law school, where he served on the Mexican American Law Student Association and was elected online editor of the New Mexico Law Review. In 2019, Zack was appointed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham as the Federal Ombudsman of New Mexico, where he served throughout the majority of the national COVID-19 pandemic. In his work, Zack investigated abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of seniors, veterans, and adults with disabilities in healthcare settings across the state of New Mexico. Zack joined the team of the National Hispanic Cultural Center as Executive Director in 2023, since then he and the NHCC team have helped the center grow and meet its statewide and national mandate of protecting and advancing Hispanic/Latina/Gente arts, culture, history, and language. Most recently, the center signed a first-of-its-kind international Arts and Diplomacy MOU between the government of Mexico and the State of New Mexico, hosted the SOMOS Albuquerque Music Festival, and is now preparing for its 25th anniversary Oct. 25.
Maria Montoya Chavez is President and CEO of Sutin, Thayer & Browne and is the firm’s first Hispanic female CEO. She has been a lawyer since 2000 and practices exclusively in family law: divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, and the division of complex assets such as professional practices and other businesses in the divorce context. She is a Collaborative Law-trained attorney and enjoys serving as a mediator and settlement facilitator. Maria is invested in the community and serves as a member of Rotary Del Norte, Keshet Dance Company, and the NM Collaborative Practice Group. She has received several honors, including the 40 Under 40 award, the Women of Influence Award, and the New Mexico Women’s Bar Association Henrietta Pettijohn Award.
Lorenzo Gutierrez has 25 years of leadership experience across various domains, including semiconductor manufacturing, high-performance computing, operations modeling and simulation, high-consequence national security missions, and quality assurance. He’s a challenge-ready leader who believes “serving people first is the best path to serving the business best.” He holds a Master of Science in Predictive Analytics from Northwestern University, a Master of Business Administration, and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, all from the University of New Mexico. He’s also a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and is a trained Leadership Coach through CTI. He enjoys weekly visits with his patients as a volunteer for Hospice of NM, can’t get enough time with family, friends, and the outdoors, and tries to live each day with an adventurous spirit.
About HPS
The Hispano Philanthropic Society (HPS) is dedicated to uplifting Hispanic communities through philanthropy, leadership development, and community engagement. By honoring cultural heritage and investing in future leaders, HPS strengthens the fabric of New Mexico.