Staff & Board
Photo by: Sheri Granger Archuleta
Tsiporah Nephesh provides leadership and support for New Mexico nonprofits. While admiring the ingenuity and accomplishments of individual nonprofits, she understands that nonprofits’ real strength lies in having a collective voice and working together.
Tsiporah founded New Mexico Thrives to be that collective voice and advocate on behalf of New Mexico’s nonprofit sector.
Prior to founding New Mexico Thrives, Tsiporah was Program Coordinator for the Center for Nonprofit Excellence, United Way of Central New Mexico from 2006 to 2016. During that time, she became familiar with the work of many nonprofits. Tsiporah has served with nonprofits, including as Executive Director.
Dr. Patty Emord is Collaborative Solutions Conulting's principal consultant, has many years’ experience working with community organizations, non-profit organizations, academic institutions, and private corporations. Her practice is guided by a philosophy of building capacity and empowerment, providing her clients with new perspectives and insights into their strengths and possibilities for growth and development. Empowered with new capacities and knowledge, organizations can move forward effectively.
Dr. Emord is a member of the American Evaluation Association (AEA) and American Educational Research Association (AERA) and a charter member of the New Mexico Evaluators.
James Skeet is the President of Covenant Pathways. Spirit Farm is a demonstration farm where Covenant Pathways provides training on animal husbandry, farming, and microbiological composting. The vision for Healing the Soil is to improve health of Native peoples and Mother Earth (soil) by using cultural traditions that change people’s attitudes and actions with regard to food and soil.
James has worked many years as a cross cultural speaker and consultant for organizations to reformulate and incorporate Native World views that create successful interventions and relations with Native Americans.
Catherine Hummel is the Executive Director of DreamTree Project, Inc. The agency covers five counties across northern and northeastern New Mexico. It operates an emergency youth shelter, multiple housing programs, street outreach, and two social enterprise ventures, DreamTree Farms and Ziggy's Frozen Yogurt.
Catherine is a board member of the Ventana Fund, a community development financial institution creating affordable housing statewide, a member of the Taos Milagro Rotary Club, and volunteers weekly at the Taos Food Coop.