April Hale   | President

Owner
A. Hale PR, Inc.

April Hale is the owner of A.Hale PR, Inc., a Native American woman-owned small business, providing quality strategic communications, public and media relations, content creation, public education and awareness campaign strategy and outreach, social media messaging, community engagement, website information architecture, event planning, and tribal/DEI consultation for tribes, tribal organizations, and non-Native agencies or entities working in Indian Country. A.Hale PR takes a culturally-sensitive and culturally-appropriate approach with an understanding of Indian Country, tribal governments, tribal sovereignty, federal trust responsibility, and American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

Ms. Hale has over 15 years of experience in communications, public relations, and advocacy that includes campaigns on Covid-19, Native Vote, Indian Country Counts (Census), tribal housing legislation, tribal water rights, and tribal public health programs. Prior to establishing A.Hale PR, Ms. Hale worked in Washington, DC with the National Congress of American Indians, National American Indian Housing Council, National Indian Health Board, the Indian Health Serviceheadquarters, and in New Mexico with the Notah Begay III Foundation, respectively. A.Hale PR is a member agency of The Change Agencies, a national network of independently-owned public relations firms focused on inclusive and authentic communications to multicultural and LGBTQ communities. Ms. Hale is President of the New Mexico Chapter PRSA, Vice Chair of the Dinéh Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of New Mexico and Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women. In November 2023, Ms. Hale received the NMPRSA Chapter Member of the Year award.

 Ms. Hale is a citizen of the Diné (Navajo) Nation from Iyanbito and grew up in Gallup, New Mexico. Her clans are Water’s Edge (Tábąąhá), Salt (Ashįįhí), Towering House (Kinyaa’áanii), and Bitter Water (Tó’dich’ii’níí).

Kristelle Siarza Moon, APR    | Treasurer

Owner/CEO
Siarza

Kristelle Siarza is a business executive, non-profit founder, and entrepreneur with extensive experience in digital communications and leadership. She is the owner/CEO of Siarza, a public relations and marketing firm with a global team of over 20 members focused on innovation, curation, and creativity. Kristelle also provides consulting services for organizations in various industries. She is particularly passionate about supporting Asian business owners and founded the Asian Business Collaborative to provide advocacy and support to this underrepresented group. Kristelle is actively involved in her community, serving on economic development task forces and as a board member for several organizations.

Chase Barnes   | Secretary

Communications Strategist
MediaDesk

Chase Barnes is a strategic communications leader with more than eight years of experience across government, nonprofit, international, and regulated industries. He currently serves as a Communications Strategist at MediaDesk, where he leads integrated communications initiatives for state agencies and mission-driven organizations. His expertise spans public affairs, earned media, digital engagement, messaging strategy, stakeholder relations, and multimedia production.

In previous roles, Chase served as Director of Public Relations, guiding communications strategy for federal, international, and private-sector stakeholders. His early international experience in Germany strengthened his cross-cultural communications perspective and global brand expertise. His professional foundation was shaped by leadership roles with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and The Walt Disney Company, where he developed a performance-driven approach to team development and audience engagement.

Chase was honored as 2025 NMPRSA Board Member of the Year and led a campaign recognized with a  Silver Telly Award (General Public Service/PSA). He is also part of an Emmy award-winning team and a team recognized with the 2026 Rust Award for Excellence in Ethical Business Practice.

Beyond his professional role, he serves in executive leadership within the Albuquerque Community Foundation. As 2026 Chair of the Future Fund, a next-generation giving circle, he stewards pooled philanthropic capital investing in high-impact nonprofits advancing education, economic mobility, health, and community development in Central New Mexico. He is also a founding member. and current board member of the Pride Circle, advancing equity and opportunity for LGBTQ+ communities through collective philanthropy and strategic grantmaking.

He proudly serves on the Board and Executive Committee of the Public Relations Society of America – New Mexico Chapter, advancing ethical and strategic communications statewide.

Jennifer West   | Membership Chair

Digital Marketing Manager
Central New Mexico Community College

Jennifer West is a marketing and communications professional with more than 20 years of experience across journalism and nonprofit industries.

She currently serves as the Digital Marketing Manager at Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) in Albuquerque, N.M. As a first-generation college graduate and proud granddaughter of a 30-year Army veteran, Jennifer utilizes her passion and knowledge to highlight student accomplishments, higher education, and military-connected student resources. 

Jennifer volunteers with Lovelace Women's Hospital and the National Institute of Flamenco. and is a member of the Nonprofit Technology Enterprise Network (NTEN), Women of Email, and Delta Zeta. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Family and Child Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from New Mexico State University. 

Annemarie Ciepiela Henton, APR    | Ethics Chair

Chief Growth Officer
RS21

Annemarie Henton, APR, is a business development executive with more than 15 years of experience in economic development, corporate strategy, strategic communications and marketing, public affairs and community engagement. As Director of State + Local Services at RS21, she brings analytics and data science solutions to state and local government, nonprofit and private-sector clients. Annemarie is a national keynote speaker and a co-founder of Albuquerque’s award-winning “Stop Bagging, Start Bragging” campaign. She is a host of the Start Bragging ABQ podcast.  Annemarie holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona and earned her Accreditation in Public Relations in 2014.

Susan J. Bradley   | Member at Large

Vice President, Media Strategies
SUNNY505

Jessica Fox, MBA   | Member at Large

Marketing and Communications
Sandia Peak Tramway

As the Director of Marketing, Sales and Public Relations for the Sandia Peak Tram and TEN 3, and a lifelong New Mexico resident, I'm grateful for the opportunity to share my deep-rooted passion for our state and all it has to offer. 

With a love for skiing and the outdoors, I was fortunate to join the Sandia Peak Tram, TEN 3 and Ski Santa Fe in 2017. While my primary role for these companies is marketing and measuring our statewide success, I strive to remain engaged in supporting and promoting our state's tourism and hospitality industry in other ways. With gratitude, I share that my team was recognized with a Cumbe Award for the Tram 2024 Video Series Project, and in 2025, I was recognized as Member of the Year from NMPRSA.

I continue to remain active with Ski New Mexico and the New Mexico Ski Hall of Fame through the marketing committee and the Annual Hall of Fame Ski Banquet. In 2025, I joined the board for the New Mexico Hospitality Association and I'm excited to start my journey on the board for NMPRSA in 2026. I deeply value my board positions as they allow me to work alongside hospitality, marketing and PR experts who share my passion for elevating tourism leadership and encouraging cross-sector growth throughout New Mexico. 

Tayloria Grant   | Member at Large

Senior Communications Coordinator
New Mexico Gas Company

Tayloria Grant is an award-winning marketing and communications professional with more than 20 years of experience across corporate, nonprofit and government sectors. She currently serves as the Senior Communications Coordinator at New Mexico Gas Company, where she develops and implements internal communication strategies, manages communication channels and oversees social media to engage stakeholders and align communications with organizational goals.

Throughout her career, Tayloria has demonstrated expertise in leading high-impact marketing and public relations initiatives. At Presbyterian Healthcare Services, she managed campaigns for multiple facilities, including a groundbreaking partnership with M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. She also led diverse marketing efforts for the American Cancer Society, earning awards for her media relations and community engagement strategies.

As the founder of One Full Life International LLC, Tayloria helps businesses and professionals enhance their brand strategies and develop effective marketing plans for growth. She has collaborated with over 300 global professionals across 45 countries, helping entrepreneurs enhance their visibility and establish impactful personal brands.

Tayloria is a lifetime global member of FemCity and has previously served on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. A dedicated advocate for diversity and inclusion, she has completed a DEI certification from the University of Michigan. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications and has pursued graduate studies in communications, management, and business administration. Tayloria is also actively involved with the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

In her personal life, Tayloria enjoys spending time with her three adult children and her miniature schnauzer, as well as exploring new cultures through travel.

Cody Johnson   | Member at Large

Communications Director
New Mexico Tourism Department

Cody Johnson has served as the Communications Director for the New Mexico Tourism Department since 2019. During his time in this role, Cody led the overhaul of the department's earned media program and mass communications strategies, resulting in substantial improvement of quality coverage for New Mexico in leisure travel and enhanced engagement with various constituencies. Cody has grown the staff size of the Communications Division from two to four, which now includes the department's revitalized travel trade program.

Cody was born and raised in Albuquerque, NM, and attended New Mexico State University for his undergraduate degree and the University of Nevada-Reno for his graduate degree.

Karli R. Massey, APR    | Member at Large

Program Communications Specialist
Sandia National Laboratories

Karli Massey is a communications professional Accredited in Public Relations (APR) with more than 20 years of community outreach and employee engagement experience. She also holds certifications in public participation, PR measurement & analytics, and project management. 

Her role as a communications specialist and member of the distinguished staff at Sandia National Labs leverages her skills and passion in leading cross-functional teams made up of executive management and technical professionals to craft effective, targeted campaigns that inspire and engage the workforce. She has held communications management roles in the electric utility industry and with non-profit organizations across the Southwest. She graduated from the University of New Mexico with dual bachelor degrees in Communications and Political Science. 

Andie Elise Mercer   | Member at Large

N/A

Andie Mercer is an experienced public relations profession who has leveraged various media platforms to tell the stories of local and national brands. She has led social and digital media efforts that have resulted in over 200 percent growth in followers and media relations outreach that has garnered coverage around New Mexico, the Southwest and the United States. She values creativity, honesty, and logic in the workplace, which guide her strategic approach to messaging and tactics. Andie has earned a Masters of Business Administration from the University of New Mexico. 

Leah Messina   | Member at Large

CEO + Founder
Sinuate Media

Leah Messina is an experienced digital marketer, content producer, and web publisher. For more than 23 years, she has pioneered innovative uses of marketing technologies for digital brand management and promotions. She has worked extensively for consumer brands including GEICO, Black & Decker, Ace Hardware, and A&E Television to develop & manage digital promotion strategies for product launches.

In 2006, Leah launched Sinuate Media, a digital-first marketing consulting firm. The integration of digital and traditional strategies is the guiding principle embodied in her concept of Organic Marketing TM, a widely used marketing term to describe a set of digital activities that reach and engage audiences found through social and search.

Before launching Sinuate Media, Leah worked for marketing agencies & web publishers, where she led digital promotions for brands including The History Channel, Sony Music, and Random House, as well as consulted on emerging internet technology for companies including American Express & Imperial Brands, importer of Sobieski Vodka. In 1999, she helped launch Kiwibox.com, a popular online teen magazine that was sold in 2007.

She holds a BA in Professional Writing & Communication Design from Carnegie Mellon University and an MS in Marketing from the Carey Business School at Johns Hopkins University. She is a past board member of the National Association of Women Business Owners - Baltimore. She won NAWBO’s 2007 “Rookie of the Year” award & is a 2009 recipient of the Brava Award from SmartCEO magazine. She also owned & sold a portfolio of women’s interest websites, including BookDivas.com, a leading online book community for young adults.

Leah is a past Board Member and Chair for the Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce, and a current Board Member of the New Mexico Public Relations Society of America.

Steve L. Carr, APR    | Emeritus Board Member

University of New Mexico

For over 30 years, Steve Carr has dedicated his communications career to higher education at The University of New Mexico where he developed a passion for telling stories about the people, places, and things that comprise the fabric of the University as an undergrad. Carr, who is the director of Communication at UNM, has served on the NMPRSA board since 2011 and is the chapter's immediate past president. He has been a member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) since 2004 and is a member of PRSA’s Counselors to Higher Education (CHE) section, a community of senior-level communications leaders who serve higher education.  

Annemarie Ciepiela Henton, APR    | Emeritus Board Member

Chief Growth Officer
RS21

Annemarie Henton, APR, is a business development executive with more than 15 years of experience in economic development, corporate strategy, strategic communications and marketing, public affairs and community engagement. As Director of State + Local Services at RS21, she brings analytics and data science solutions to state and local government, nonprofit and private-sector clients. Annemarie is a national keynote speaker and a co-founder of Albuquerque’s award-winning “Stop Bagging, Start Bragging” campaign. She is a host of the Start Bragging ABQ podcast.  Annemarie holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona and earned her Accreditation in Public Relations in 2014.