Board of Directors

President

Gabe Gallegos is a seasoned media & communications strategist based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. As Director of Strategic Partnerships, Gabe develops winning communications strategies and campaign insights for our clients, in addition to building new relationships with partners & projects around the U.S. Previously, he was an integrated media planner and digital media specialist at Basis Technologies, an advertising technology company based in Chicago, where he advised national cause-based organizations on digital marketing strategies. He began his career at SUNNY505, working his way up to serve as Media Director – leading paid media initiatives for clients such as New Mexico Census, New Mexico Secretary of State, and The Education Trust Board of Mexico.

Vice President

Adam Biederwolf is the Director of Brokerage Services at Colliers New Mexico-El Paso, where he oversees research and marketing and helps support company operations. He received his MBA from the University of New Mexico in 2022 and is passionate about marketing, business development, and community building. Aside from YPA, Adam is a member of the Young Leaders Society of United Way and has served on various boards such as New Mexico Press Women and the Anderson School of Management Advisory Board.

Marketing Chair

Brianna Salazar is a Mortgage Loan Consultant with nearly a decade of experience helping New Mexicans navigate homeownership with clarity and confidence. Born and raised in Santa Fe and now based in Albuquerque, she’s passionate about empowering first-time buyers, educating her community, and making the homebuying process feel approachable and inspiring.

Beyond her work in lending, Brianna is an active community leader. She serves on the Young Professionals of Albuquerque board, the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce Women in Business executive committee, and the NAHREP Albuquerque board of directors. Through each role, she focuses on creating meaningful connections, uplifting others, and contributing to Albuquerque’s growth and success.

Treasurer

Arturo H. Lozoya III is an Engagement Specialist at Nusenda Credit Union. Arturo specializes in small business development and financial literacy. Arturo graduated from UNM with his BBA in Entrepreneurship. Arturo also serves as the President for the UNM Young Alumni Board. With a love for community and entrepreneurship, he hopes to build partnerships that continue to shine a light in Albuquerque.

Professional Development Chair

Jacob Maranda is a Client Strategist at Sunny505. Jacob comes from a background in journalism, where he dove into the nuances of impactful industries in New Mexico, from startups and technology to renewable energy to economic development. His award-winning reporting across all corners of the state with Albuquerque Business First, New Mexico’s leading business journal, has helped inform existing readers about complex issues and drawn in new audiences. Jacob moved to New Mexico in October 2022 from Minnesota, where he studied economics and philosophy at St. Olaf College while leading the century-old student news publication ‘The Olaf Messenger’ as executive editor. His love of storytelling has shown through in both feature-length narratives and daily news stories. Besides writing, Jacob enjoys semi-competitive running, leisurely cycling and music, especially jazz.

Community Engagement Chair

Phia Smith is the heart-forward leader of the Somos Unidos Foundation, New Mexico United's charitable arm. Phia is an experienced nonprofit leader with a passion for exploring what sports can provide for a community on and off the field. Although she is not originally from New Mexico, she is proud to call Albuquerque home. Phia also serves on the Board of Directors for Explora and works as a Bereavement Facilitator for the Grief Center of New Mexico. In 2024, Phia was named one of Albuquerque Business First's 40 under 40. She is committed to serving the community that has offered her an immeasurable amount of support.

Membership Chair

Brooklynn Gray is a Student Recruiter with UNM Online Operations, where she supports access to higher education through strategic outreach, recruitment, and student engagement initiatives. She also serves as Adjunct Faculty in the Department of English and Communications at Santa Fe Community College, working to foster confidence and collaboration among students.

Brooklynn holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in communication and journalism from UNM. Her experience spans recruitment, teaching, advocacy, and assessment, with a strong focus on empowering students and strengthening institutional communication. Brooklynn is passionate about creating meaningful connections, promoting lifelong learning, and supporting opportunities for emerging leaders in the community.

Social Chair

Leah Jones recently graduated from UNM with her MS in project management. She currently serves as a Business Development Project Manager at AREA. In this role, she utilizes her background in business operations and project management to encourage economic growth throughout the Albuquerque region. Previous to her time at AREA, Leah worked at Sandia National Laboratories as a Business Operations Intern supporting technical customers with a wide range of projects. Her experience thus far in her career has built a firm foundation for her future, in which she hopes to continue building upon her current skill set and taking on new challenges. In her free time, she loves traveling, reading, and attending live music events!

Health & Wellness Chair

Olin “OJ” Ellsworth is a licensed real estate professional with six years of experience helping clients across New Mexico achieve their homeownership goals. Before entering real estate, OJ worked with the New Mexico Children, Youth & Families Department (CYFD), where he focused on community outreach and family reunification—work that inspired his ongoing passion for serving others.

Along with his role in YPA, OJ serves as District Grand Master for the New Mexico/West Texas District of Kappa Sigma, mentoring young leaders, and sits on the board of the Duke City Marathon. A lifelong New Mexican, he’s dedicated to strengthening his community through leadership and connection. In his free time, he enjoys the outdoors and time with family.

Member At-Large & City Wide Mixer Chair

With a nine-year tenure at the Bureau of Trust Funds Administration (BTFA), Ashkii has been a key figure in supporting the Department of the Interior's trust responsibilities, offering fiduciary guidance, management, and leadership for Native American land held in Tribal Trust. In addition to Federal government service, Ashkii is the owner of La Flora Floristry, a flourishing wedding and event floral business. Ashkii's academic foundation is rooted in Communications, having studied this field at the University of New Mexico.

Past President

Jay Shah received his MBA from UNM in 2018 and is the Director of Marketing at Bath Experts. Jay is a board member of Asian Business Collaborative and the UNM Anderson Alumni Council. Jay has been featured in ABF's 'New Mexicans to Know' Piece as a local leader, named a Forty Under 40 Winner of 2022 by Pro Remodeler Magazine, published 'Financial Literacy for Immigrants & Refugees', and spoke at Professional Remodeler Magazine’s Extreme Lead Gen Summit.