Management
Brenda Barela
- Brenda has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business with the concentration on the public sector. She has years of experience with the development process of various programs, and the compliance segment stemming from an extensive background, from working within the nonprofit sector. Her passion is helping the community. Her belief is that people need people. People coming together can be powerful. She wants to see “Important things happen by growing relationships and collaborating with others to help meet the needs of the community”.
Phyllis Tabet
Phyllis has 31 years of experience in non-profits as a program manager and quality assurance monitor for several Federal and State funded programs. She has managed 4 million + a year in revenue for these programs. These programs were working with USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), NM Supportive Housing and other federal programs.
She loves to help the client and is very dedicated to get whatever services she can for them. She also has raised 4 daughters as a single mom and is now enjoying watching her 12 grandchildren grow up.
Board of Directors
Dee Burns
Dee Burns is the Business Owner of A.L.I.V.E. and the Founder of Bridge to Success. She is an exceptional woman, with countless talents. She is a tireless advocate for the clients she cares for. She has an excellent understanding of their challenges and needs. Ms. Burns has worked 30 + years in the mental health field. Her dedication to this field has brought a better place for others to live in, because of her passion she wants to see Bridge grow strong, to better help those of need.
Kristopher Lorang
Kristopher Lorang was born in Texas and lived in South Dakota. He has been living in Albuquerque for 25 years. He is vocal when it comes to reducing the discrimination and stigma of people with mental disorders, by talking about the barriers and disadvantages, to help try to achieve a positive mental health outcomes in the community.
John Matchison
John has many years of experience with non-profit, John is the Former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at HELPNew Mexico, Inc. He studied MBA Finance at Capital University, Attended from 1977 to 1980. He served in the military, he is a Husband, Father and a Grandfather.
Miriam Brettner
Miriam Brettner retired from HELP-New Mexico in 2016. She was the Agency’s Human Resources Administrator for 13 years. Ms. Brettner received her bachelor’s degree in business with a concentration in Human Resources from UNM’s Anderson School of Business. She also obtained the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification from HRCI and SHRM-CP from the Society of Human Resources Management. In her capacity as HR Administrator, she provided training to management on HR related issues and current regulations, women returning to the workforce, and newly formed non-profits. Her skills include mediation, internal inquiries, policies and procedures, interviewing, and state and federal regulations. In her capacity as HR Administrator, Ms. Brettner oversaw the daily management of HR for approximately 220 employees.
Staff
Natalia Belanger
Natalia is a dancer that does ballet, and jazz. She started attending PAPA (Public academy of performing arts) as a 6th grader. She started ballet during 9th grade and got into advanced ballet the following year which was 10th grade, she took jazz in 7th grade and got advanced jazz in 10th grade. Natalia studied ballet at PAPA, NDI, BRT (ballet repertory Theater), Keshet, and festivals (Advance classes). She will continue dancing on the side after graduation. Natalia is very outgoing and motivated to help anyone. Natalia has been dancing in the last 16 years, and attended 4 years of nutcracker, Coppelia, and extra shows. Natalia has work/help with many people since a young age and plans to keep working/helping with many people.
Regina Garcia
Regina Garcia was born and raised in Albuquerque. She started off as a Bridge to Success Volunteer. She is a mother of four. She loves helping the community. She is a strong believer in positive thinking, in and out of the workplace.