NMMHCA Board Members,
President
Dr. Christine Herzog, PhD, LPCC, NCC is a graduate of Capella University's Counselor Education and Supervision doctoral program. She is an Assistant Professor of Counseling New Mexico Highlands University. She is licensed in NM and MN as a clinical counselor and clinical supervisor, is a Nationally Certified Counselor, and is owner of a clinical private practice. She served as NMMHCA President-Elect in 2023-2024, and is now the 2024-2026 NMMHCA President.
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President-ElectVacant: The president-elect assists the President as directed. In the absence or disability of the President, the President-Elect assumes the powers and duties of the President.
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Secretary
Emma Vdoviak-Markow, LPCC-S, LMFT-S, NCC, ACS, BC-TMH (She/Her) is a Licensed Clinical Counselor (LPCC), Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and clinical supervisor in both NM and CA. She is also a CEU Provider in NM. Additionally, she is a PhD Candidate in UNM's Counselor Education doctoral program and teaches counseling courses as an adjunct instructor. She has been on the NMMHCA board since 2024.
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Treasurer *seeking new Treasurer; see below position description*
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Public Policy & Legislations Chair
Dr. Lori A. Miller, Ph.D., NCC is a Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LPCC) and a level three K-12 School Counselor. She is currently an Associate Professor of Counseling at New Mexico Highlands University. She has been a career counselor, school counselor, and a mental health counselor. With over twenty-five years of experience of working with adults and adolescents, her specialties are career, trauma, and school counseling. Some of her training is in EMDR and Clinical Trauma Professional Level 2 (CCTP-II).
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Professional Development Chair
Dr. Leandrea Romero-Lucero, PhD, LPCC, ACS, CSOTS is an Associate Professor and Program Director for the CMHC program at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, Lock Haven Campus. She holds a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision and has been an LPCC in NM since 2008, is a NM state approved supervisor, an NBCC Approved Clinical Supervisor, and is a Certified Sex Offender Treatment Specialist.
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Ethics Chair
Lora Smalley, LMFT has been working in the mental health field for 29 years, is a licensed in NM and is a trained in Seeking Safety, EMDR trained & 20+ years, CPT, Prolonged Exposure. Stress Inoculation Therapy, and Trauma Focused CBT and Tapping or Emotion Freedom Technique. She has extensive experience working in a variety of settings and working with military populations. She served as NMMHCA president from 2019-2022.
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Publications Chair
Thanh ("Tahn") Nguyen, BA, CA is a current clinical counseling master's student at UNM, and Childcare & Victim Credentialed Advocate. She has a wide range of experience with organizations, including coordinating services and programs at the New Mexico Asian Family Center (NMAFC), National Organization of Victim Advocacy (NOVA), and managing the social media for Generation Action Planned Parenthood at UNM.
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Membership ChairVacant; acting membership chair is Emma Vdoviak-Markow, MA, LPCC, LMFT, NCC, ACS, BC-TMH
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Central Region Representative
Donna Marie Lucero, MA, LPCC-S, NCC, IECMHC, IMH-E® is a lifelong Albuquerque resident and UNM graduate with advanced degrees in counseling and sociocultural studies. She has over 30 years of experience and her work focuses on early childhood and healthy brain development, attachment, and the role of relationships, movement, music, and nature in healing. Donna also has over 20 years of clinical supervision experience and teaches in the UNM Counseling Department.
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Northern Region RepresentativeVacant: Regional representatives shall be residents of/or employed in the geographical region they have been elected to represent.
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Southern Region Representative
Vanessa Bretado Yagel, MA, LPC, LPCC is a graduate of New Mexico State University’s Counselor and
Guidance master’s program. She is currently a Tenured Professor and Career Counselor at El Paso Community College. She is licensed in New Mexico and Texas and is owner of a clinical private practice in El Paso, Texas. She is also a launch clinician for the National Transportation Safety Board and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. She has over 15 years of experience working with diverse populations from different backgrounds. |
Graduate Student
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Danielle DeAngelis (DD), BA, is a current clinical mental health counseling master’s student at New Mexico Highlands University and Education Specialist in Santa Fe. Through her last decade of work, she has realized her deep commitment to support children and their families, as well as advocating for the rights of children. DD hopes to bring her breadth of experience in the early childhood setting to her counseling work.
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Seeking: Treasurer for 2026 NMMHCA Board
The New Mexico Mental Health Counselors Association (NMMHCA) is currently seeking a dedicated volunteer to serve as Treasurer. Some financial or bookkeeping experience is preferred, but not required—training and support will be provided. If you are passionate about advancing mental health and are interested in contributing your skills, please send your resume to [email protected].
Treasurer Position – New Mexico Mental Health Counselors Association (NMMHCA)
Role Summary: The Treasurer will be responsible for managing the financial operations of NMMHCA, ensuring transparency and compliance with state and federal regulations
Key Responsibilities:
Time Commitment: Approximately 5-7 hours per month (including monthly and annual responsibilities)
Eligibility Requirements:
Treasurer Position – New Mexico Mental Health Counselors Association (NMMHCA)
Role Summary: The Treasurer will be responsible for managing the financial operations of NMMHCA, ensuring transparency and compliance with state and federal regulations
Key Responsibilities:
- The Treasurer will be responsible for overseeing the financial operations of NMMHCA, ensuring transparency and compliance with state and federal regulations. This role supports the operational and fiscal integrity of the association and offers the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the mental health counseling community in New Mexico.
- The Treasurer will collaborate with a contracted bookkeeper who will conduct quarterly account reconciliations and complete all year-end financial reporting, including federal and state tax filings and the NMCOROS report.
- Responsibilities include completing the annual Secretary of State report (approximately 15 minutes with our mailing service), managing annual vendor payments as needed, providing a monthly bank account summary at board or membership meetings, serving as an authorized signer on the organization’s bank account, and receive training for updating accounting information in QuickBooks. General board member responsibilities include attending monthly board meetings and trainings.
Time Commitment: Approximately 5-7 hours per month (including monthly and annual responsibilities)
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must not serve on any other American Counseling Association (ACA) boards to avoid conflict of interest
- Must not currently hold a Treasurer position on another board
- Must sign the NMMHCA Conflict of Interest Policy
- Must live in New Mexico
- Must be a licensed professional counselor or student obtaining graduation within a year
- Must pass background check
Past Presidents2022-2024 - Lora Smalley, LMFT
2022-2022 - Jesse Michaud, LPCC 2019-2022 - Lora Smalley, LMFT 2017-2018 - Tamera Rasmussen, LPCC 2016-2017 - Anne Golembeski, LPCC 2015-2016 - Stefanie Juliano, LPCC 2014-2015 - Kathleen Charest, LPCC 2013-2014 - Andrea Faeth, LPCC 2011-2013 - Anne Golembeski, LPCC |
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