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Natasha Garcia - BA, CPSW
FOUNDER / EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
In the face of significant challenges—including long-term recovery from substance use disorder and years navigating the justice system—our Executive Director has emerged as a powerful example of resilience and transformation. Over the past nine years, she has undergone a profound personal and professional journey, where learning the value of hard work was not optional—it was essential.
Today, as Executive Director of the New Mexico Reentry Center, she leads with passion and purpose. Her mission is to create a supportive and empowering program that uplifts individuals in recovery, equipping them with the tools, skills, and opportunities they need to rebuild their lives. She is a strong advocate for peer support, system change, and ending the stigma surrounding substance use and mental health.
She also serves as the Board Secretary for the National Association of Reentry Professionals, furthering her commitment to reform and advocacy on a national level.
Outside of her professional life, she finds joy in being a proud mother of two beautiful daughters. She draws daily inspiration from the work of Father G from Homeboy Industries, and has an abiding love for New Mexico’s own red and green chile.
Her journey is one of growth, authenticity, and courage—a testament to the power of second chances and the strength of the human spirit. Through her leadership, she continues to light the way for others seeking hope, healing, and reintegration.
Fred Hernandez -BA, CCHW
Programs & Housing Director
A proud native of New Mexico and UNM Communications alum, Fred brings extensive experience in nonprofit leadership spanning over a decade. With a background that includes serving in the Peace Corps for two impactful years and an additional two years with AmeriCorps, Fred currently serves as the housing director for the NM Re-entry Center and sits on the Certifying Board of Directors for the New Mexico Department of Health Office of Community Health Workers.
Fred's commitment to community involvement extends over 15 years, encompassing various facets such as operations, event organization, fundraising, and collaborative initiatives across the state. With over 20 years of experience in interpersonal, social, and organizational networking,
Passionate in fostering connections, inspiring collaborations, and empowering others within this vibrant community. Proudly immersed in this space, he has cultivated valuable bonds, friendships, and meaningful experiences that continue to enrich the nonprofit sector in New Mexico.
Eileen SandOVAL - CHW, cpsw
Intensive Case Manger - Supervisor
Serving: Albuquerque and Santa Fe
Eileen Sandoval, born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico’s Barelas community, developed a successful career with major companies like General Mills, Coca-Cola, and Eclipse Aviation. Known for her wide-ranging skills and deep community connections, she is often referred to as a "jack of all trades." Her strong ties to the community are rooted in her large family and her dedication to the place where she grew up.
At 47, Eileen’s life changed dramatically when she faced a five-year incarceration. Following her release, she reintegrated into the community with a renewed sense of purpose, driven by a passion to help others facing similar challenges. Now, as a valuable member of the NM Reentry Team, Eileen brings a wealth of experience, resilience, and a deep commitment to supporting justice-involved individuals. Her contributions make her an indispensable asset to the team.
Juan Silva - CPSW
INTENSIVE CASE MANAGER
Serving: Albuquerque
Juan Silva returned home after serving 25 years of incarceration for a case in which he was charged under the aiding and abetting statute. While he accepts responsibility for the choices that led him there, his time inside became the foundation for a profound personal transformation.
During his incarceration, Juan overcame early struggles with addiction and committed himself to education, rehabilitation, and service. He earned two Associate Degrees, completed extensive behavioral and substance-abuse programming, and obtained both his Barber’s License and Commercial Driver’s License. He also gained numerous vocational and life-skills certifications.
Juan became a positive leader within the system, serving as President of the Youth Awareness Program for five years. In this role, he spoke to at-risk youth from schools and community programs, using his lived experience with gangs, addiction, and violence to deter young people from entering the criminal lifestyle. His past influence as a gang leader gave him a unique ability to connect with youth and serve as a credible messenger.
Since returning to the community, Juan has remained committed to accountability, growth, and service. He is dedicated to mentoring young people, promoting safer communities, and using his story to inspire change and prevent others from repeating his mistakes.
Daniel Tafoya
FRONT ADMIN & OUTREACH COORDINATOR
Serving Albuquerque
Daniel Tafoya has been in long-term recovery and a testament to the transformative power of change. His lived experience includes overcoming addiction to methamphetamine and cocaine, periods of homelessness in San Antonio, Texas, and legal challenges that resulted in incarceration in 2020. Following one year of incarceration and four months in a halfway house, Daniel began reevaluating the trajectory of his life.
After returning to Albuquerque, New Mexico, Daniel faced additional challenges before reaching a pivotal turning point—recognizing the urgent need for change. He made a deliberate commitment to recovery and to building a stable, purpose-driven life.
Today, Daniel serves as a Front Admin & Outreach Coordinator at the New Mexico Reentry Center, where he supports daily operations while actively engaging with individuals seeking services. He brings both professional dedication and lived experience to his work, offering informed, empathetic support to those navigating reentry and recovery.
Grounded in faith and resilience, Daniel approaches his role with accountability, compassion, and a strong belief that with perseverance, individuals can overcome adversity and create meaningful new paths forward.
Monica Roybal - CPSW
FRONT OFFICE ADMIN - CHW
Serving: Santa Fe
After 18 years in active addiction, I found myself at a breaking point — on the verge of going to prison or losing my life. Addiction had taken me to places I never imagined I would be, and I knew something had to change. That turning point came when I entered rehab and found recovery.
Choosing sobriety saved my life. Through treatment, support, and hard work, I discovered strength I didn’t know I had. Recovery gave me more than just freedom from addiction — it gave me purpose, clarity, and a second chance at life.
Today, I am passionate about helping others who feel trapped and hopeless the way I once did. I understand the darkness of addiction, but I also know the power of transformation.
I believe recovery is possible for anyone willing to pursue it. No matter how far someone believes they have fallen, transformation is achievable. I am proud to be living proof that change is possible — and that it is never too late to choose a different direction.
Veronica Esparza
Intensive Case Management
Serving: Santa Fe
I am a graduate of a faith-based women’s recovery program that I completed in 2000—a pivotal experience that transformed my life after years of addiction beginning in my early teens. Prior to recovery, my life was unmanageable and defined by ongoing struggles and uphill battles. Through that program, I found stability, purpose, and a new direction.
Today, I am approaching 30 years in recovery. That journey has instilled in me a deep sense of gratitude and a strong commitment to service. Over the past 13 years, I have worked closely with survivors of domestic violence and currently serve individuals experiencing homelessness in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
I am honored to now be part of the New Mexico Reentry Center, where I continue this work by supporting individuals as they rebuild their lives. My focus is helping others transform addiction and trauma into pathways for growth, stability, and purpose.
About New Mexico Reentry Center
President - AJ Autrey
AJ served as the CEO and owner of AJAC Enterprises Inc., a local construction company based in Farmington and Albuquerque, New Mexico, for 25 years. Over the course of her career, she built a successful business that not only thrived in the industry but also allowed her to give back to the community through sponsorship and support of multiple nonprofit organizations.
She is deeply committed to the mission of the New Mexico Reentry Center and is a strong believer in second chances. AJ understands the hard work and dedication it takes for justice-involved men and women to successfully reintegrate into society, reconnect with their families, and become contributing members of their communities.
Her values are rooted in teamwork, second chances, and strong Christian faith.
As reflected in Isaiah 61:1 — "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound."
Vice President - Tiffany Camposano
Tiffany is a UCLA alumna and current MBA candidate at the UC San Diego Rady School of Management, she brings over a decade of cross-sector experience in legal operations, nonprofit development, and executive leadership support. With a B.A. in Chicano Studies and minors in Spanish Language and Labor & Work Studies, her academic and professional journey is rooted in a deep commitment to equity, systems change, and community empowerment.
She currently serves as the Senior Executive Assistant to Gerald Singleton, Founding & Managing Partner at Singleton Schreiber, LLP, where she has held progressive leadership roles since 2021. She leads critical administrative operations, manages real estate portfolios, oversees compliance across more than a dozen corporate entities, and coordinates licensing across multiple states. She also developed and continues to manage the firm’s onboarding and training program for Executive Assistants.
Beyond the legal sector, she serves as a dedicated mentor to refugees designing personalized education and career development plans and helping clients secure meaningful roles in the nonprofit and private sectors. Her previous experience includes legal office management, financial consulting, and retail leadership, where she consistently implemented systems that improved organizational performance and equity.
Fluent in English and Spanish, she brings a culturally competent and people-centered approach to every endeavor. Her work is grounded in a passion for advocacy, mentorship, and creating sustainable, inclusive systems that open doors for others—especially those from underserved communities.
Secretary -
Former President - Joseph Shaw
Joseph Shaw is a lifelong Albuquerque resident and the current Director of Non-Profit Operations at Fathers Building Futures (FBF), an organization that supports formerly incarcerated parents through peer-led vocational training and life-skills programs.
Joseph began with FBF as a client after his release from incarceration in 2012 and has since transformed his life and career, holding positions including Executive Director. He holds multiple certifications, including a Class A & B CDL, OSHA 10/30, NCCER Basic Construction Safety, and CPR/First Aid instruction.
From 2022 to 2025, Joseph proudly served as President of the Board for the New Mexico Reentry Center, helping lead statewide efforts to support reentry and reduce recidivism.
He has worked alongside 400+ fathers returning home from prison and currently serves as a Board Advisor for VIANTE NM and on the Albuquerque Community Foundation’s Community Impact Committee.
Board Member - Loren Gomez
Loren Gomez joined SWOP 13 years ago as a volunteer and co-founded the food justice initiative Project Feed the Hood. Raised in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Questa, Northern New Mexico, with a background in agriculture, Loren’s roots deeply align with this work. Formerly incarcerated for 12 years, he reformed New Mexico’s “Scared Straight Program,” transforming it into a mentorship model promoting accountability, cultural awareness, and life skills. Loren also led prisoner Chicano groups that fostered education, family engagement, and personal growth.
In 2013, Loren helped pass House Bill 247 (later Senate Bill 27), securing healthy, locally grown food for school lunches. He also co-founded Grow the Future, a micro-farm in Albuquerque’s South Valley that promotes organic farming, cultural awareness, and community engagement.
As of 2023, Loren co-founded the New Mexico Youth Justice Coalition, advocating to end youth incarceration. The coalition supported the NM ACLU and Fair Sentencing for Youth Coalition in passing Senate Bill 64, prohibiting life sentences without parole for youth. Loren continues his advocacy through NM Participatory Community Defense and Albuquerque Justice 4 Youth.
Board Member - Michael Hunt
After serving more than thirteen years in the United States Navy, Michael relocated to Santa Fe, NM. His Southern roots have allowed him to find a home in New Mexico. The Land of Enchantment has cast its magical spell and he has eyes for no other place. He currently serves as an Operations Manager and is dedicated to community leadership.
As a member of the Santa Fe NAACP and the New Mexico NAACP State Conference leadership, he works to bring awareness to marginalized individuals and those who may feel forgotten.
He believes mentorship and faith are material to build a solid foundation. A foundation that builds confidence, allows one to grow, and aides in climbing out of a dark place. Michael understands the impact of addiction and has vowed to encourage others to be a fighter.
Board Member - Matthew Ward
Matthew “Mateo” Ward brings a diverse background in political organizing and clinical research to the New Mexico Reentry Center. He currently manages clinical trials in Albuquerque, specializing in vaccine research, and holds a B.A. in Political Science from Kenyon College and an M.S. in Pharmacology from The Ohio State University.
His career began in community organizing in Los Angeles following the 2008 housing crisis, where he co-founded a volunteer organization that helped prevent evictions and supported vulnerable populations. His advocacy efforts contributed to the development of the California Homeowner’s Bill of Rights.
Matthew later transitioned into clinical research, focusing on controlled substances and opioid-related studies, including work that supported FDA approval of overdose reversal medications. At NM Reentry Center, he applies his expertise to support harm reduction, recovery efforts, and community partnerships, strengthening services for individuals impacted by substance use and reentry challenges.