Board of Directors

DeAnza Sapien is a licensed attorney living and working in Albuquerque, New Mexico. As a full-time law student, she served as President of a new non-profit organization that supported New Mexico land and water based Latino communities. Also while in law school, DeAnza was named one of the New Mexico Business Weekly’s “40 under 40,” and was elected Vice Chair of the National Latina/o Law Student Association and served as its 2008 National Conference Chair.

DeAnza has served as a Program Manager for the northern New Mexico Economic Development non-profit, the Regional Development Corporation and was a regional director of NASA’s technology transfer program entitled, “The Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program.” She has also served as the National Communications Manager and New Mexico Director of the Surface Transportation Policy Project and is a former staff member of U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman, the Arizona House of Representatives and the New Mexico State Senate.

DeAnza has experience in the development, analysis, advocacy, and implementation of economic development, community planning, transportation, environment, cultural resource protection, and other related policies. DeAnza has been a presenter to the National Academy of Sciences Transportation Research Board and is a graduate of the League of Conservation Voters’ Environmental Leadership Institute. DeAnza was appointed to New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson’s Smart Growth Task Force, as well as the Governor’s Climate Change Advisory Group. DeAnza served on Governor Bill Richardson’s 2002 Highway and Transportation Department Transition Team and is a former Executive Committee Member of the New Mexico Coalition for a Livable Future.

DeAnza Sapien is a graduate of the University of New Mexico School of Law and holds a master’s degree from Arizona State University’s School of Justice and Social Inquiry. DeAnza is also an honors graduate of New Mexico State University with degrees in Government and Criminal Justice.

Judith is a principal of Policy Connections, LLC, a woman owned small business with emphasis in health and environmental policy and related transportation and energy issues. She is a part-time senior research faculty at the University of New Mexico (UNM) Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Center for Health Policy. She also teaches business ethics, politics, and environment at the UNM, Anderson School of Management.

Judith has experience in both the private and public sectors in addition to directing a transportation research institute at the University of New Mexico, whose projects included work with Sandia and Los Alamos National Labs and other national transportation reform and urban planning organizations.

Judith has been appointed to cabinet level positions by three New Mexico governors serving as Secretary of Transportation, Secretary of Environment, and Interstate Stream Commissioner. She served on the President Clinton’s Council for Sustainable Development, which set the sustainable development agenda for the United States. She also served as Chief of Staff to the New Mexico Lt. Governor.

Judith has sat as a director on several national transportation and environmental boards and is a national speaker on related topics.

Judith has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from UNM, a Master’s in Public Health Administration from UCLA, and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from UNM.

Anya is a consultant for the CA State Assembly Committee on Housing.

Charles is the founder, president and CEO of Ubuntu Green.

Fatima T. Malik, B.S. in International Agricultural Development, from UC Davis, has been a health educator for over 5 years. She is a program coordinator at the Health Education Council, a local non-profit dedicated to providing access, education, advocacy and training to empower individuals towards a healthy life. She also volunteers as a board member of the Center for Land Based Learning in Winters, CA. As a health educator she has developed a unique nutrition education program: EAT from the Garden at Grant Union High School, where she educates diverse youth healthy meal preparation using fresh garden produce to improve their eating habits. She is a positive role model, motivational and inspiring leader in garden enhanced nutrition education and shares her expertise at a variety of venues engaging all ages in health and wellness initiatives. She has a vibrant personality and genuine interest in helping others reach their full potential through meaningful and valuable experiences that foster a sense of community and relationships. Fatima is a strong advocate for improving the local food system, health status of low income populations, and reducing childhood obesity.