Our Team: Advocates for Education Equity

Loretta Trujillo, Executive Director

Loretta Trujillo is a teacher, poet, activist and mother of four with 20+ years teaching middle and high school students. Her experience working with bilingual and immigrant students, first generation college students, and Indigenous students shapes the foundation of her pedagogy. Trujillo’s ancestral roots in the Chama Valley of northern New Mexico have deeply influenced her identity and connection to the state. As a classroom teacher she received the Fueling Increasingly Relevant Education Award in 2012 and the “Hechando Flores” Award in 2014.

Her commitment to serving the most marginalized students in our education system led her to her current role as Executive Director of Transform Education New Mexico (TENM), a statewide coalition of education advocates working to address the deep inequities in New Mexico’s schools and enact systems change tied to the landmark Martinez/Yazzie v. The State of New Mexico court case.  The New Mexico Supreme Court found the state guilty of failing to meet its constitutional obligation to provide a sufficient education for four groups of students: Native students, English language learners, at-risk students, and students with disabilities. Trujillo’s work continues to center the voices of students, educators, and the community, operating at the nexus of policy advocacy and community engagement to drive the transformation of our education system.

Meryl Chee, Communications Director

Meryl is an Indigenous communications professional with a decade of experience, driven by a deep passion for the transformative power of storytelling. With a background in communications and marketing, she leverages traditional and digital media to amplify underrepresented voices, reshape narratives, and advocate for meaningful change. Rooted in her cultural identity and personal experiences, Meryl uses her expertise to connect communities, advance equity, and inspire collective understanding.

Residing in Albuquerque, Meryl is a proud mother to her spirited daughter, Oktosha, and a dog mom to Max. She draws strength from New Mexico’s natural beauty, paddleboarding and engaging with the community, fueling her creativity and dedication to building a more equitable world.

 

Allyja Ramirez, Operations Manager

Allyja Ramirez, born in Las Cruces and raised in Santa Fe, moved to Albuquerque two years ago to continue her studies at The University of New Mexico and CNM. A returning student, she is on track to earn her Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Planning & Design in Fall 2025.

Passionate about collaborating with communities, Allyja focuses on designing programs that improve living conditions while addressing environmental and social challenges. As a bilingual, first-generation student, her non-traditional path has included time away for work, travel, and personal growth. Joining Transform Education New Mexico has been a rewarding experience for Allyja, fueling her dedication to understanding New Mexico’s communities and transforming public education for students.

 

Michelle Valverde, Equity Analyst

Michelle has been an equity advocate for over 30 years. She was born in Deming, New Mexico and graduated from Deming High School. She has a bachelor’s degree in Sociology, master’s in Social Welfare Management and Planning, and Ph.D. in Educational Management and Development. Michelle is a founding member of the LAB Learning Action Buffet, a non profit organization in Las Cruces NM focused on youth leadership development through art, communication, and civic engagement.

Her current work with TENM revolves around addressing disparities in the education system. In her spare time, she likes to connect with family members, hike, ballroom dance, and share the gift of hand drumming.