Dan Frampton, Board President, has been an activist and an organizer for 30 years; and has worked on issues ranging from students’ rights while in college back in Pennsylvania to issues with homeless youth and homeless veterans here in Albuquerque.
Dan has been a school social worker since 2011 and has worked with at-risk youth for over 20 years. He has undergraduate degrees in Government and Sociology from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania and completed his MSW at New Mexico Highlands University in 2011.
Since 2010 Dan has been a leader with Albuquerque Interfaith and is chairperson of AI’s Behavioral Health action team. Dan is also secretary of the board for the Southwest Educational Partners for Training.
Amy Vialpando, Board Secratery, lives in Albuquerque with her husband, Johnny, 2 daughters, Alexis and Mariah, and 2 dogs, Teddy and Tila. Amy previously served in the Military Police Corp. of the United States Army. During those four and half years she had her first experience with losing a friend to suicide as well as the stigma around mental health. Following her military service she devoted her education to the study of psychology in the hopes of being able to help people overcome their personal struggles within the mental health sphere. She studied psychology and got her counseling degree at the University of New Mexico. During her education she worked in the field of substance abuse treatment within Bernalillo County’s Department of Substance Abuse programs as a Substance Abuse Tech and Community Case Manager. She currently works in private practice as an outpatient clinical counselor at Age to Age Counseling, PC. Amy is motivated to be a part of the work being done in the area of mental health awareness, generating access to resources and education, as well as eliminating the stigma associated with mental illness.
Manual Pino, MBA, Board Member, Growing up in Socorro, NM granted Manuel Pino the opportunity to gain an appreciation for his community, family and heritage. With an appreciation for the small town community perspective he strives to incorporate those principles into his daily interactions. He believes in helping people and strives to continue to support others in their success and endeavors.
He has dedicated his career to healthcare and has worked for Presbyterian for 25 years. Throughout that time he has worked in the capacity as an RN providing direct patient care and for the last 21 years has been in management. He current serves in the capacity as the Senior Director of Practice Operations for Primary Care which allows him the opportunity to strategically plan for primary care operations and growth potential while additionally oversee the financial and operational management of Presbyterians Southern Central Delivery System Clinics.
Manuel earned his BSN-RN from UNM and went on to pursue an Executive MBA from the Anderson School of Management. Manuel enjoys spending time with his family and nurturing and guiding his three children to take pride in their community and foster a social conscience of excellence and giving.
Rusita Avila, Board Member, is a Sobadora (Mexica traditional healer using massage). She also provides traditional healing through platicas (heart to heart listening/guidance), limpias (energy cleansing) and reiki. She was a Promotora Tradicional and previous Executive Director with the Kalpulli Izkalli. Her Maestras are Sylvia Ledesma, Elena Avila, Rita Navarete Perez, and Paula Terrero.
She is from Albuquerque, NM. Her parents are from Encino, NM and Roswell, NM. She is a multi-generational New Mexican. Her personal gender pronouns are HER or SHE. She is Chicana Mexicana, Mexica, Mescalero Apache, Pojoaque and Ohkay Owingeh.
She is a mental health therapist as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 1999. Her clinical expertise is in psychiatric inpatient level of care, crisis intervention, domestic violence, trauma, grief and loss, and working with youth in multiple capacities including developing youth leadership. She is the previous Clinical Director of the Domestic Violence Resource Center and previous Clinical Supervisor of All Faiths Protective Services Department – Advocates and Case Management. She currently works as a School Social Worker at Tierra Adentro NM Charter MS and HS, as well as an Adjunct Professor at NMHU.
Lizbeth Delgado (Liz, she/her/ella), Board Member, currently works at UNM Hospital in the Community Engagement department, under Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and is involved in community engagement efforts to address health disparities within the local hospital system. She is also a newly joined therapist at DulceSalado, where she provides Multisystemic Therapy to Spanish-speaking families. Liz is deeply passionate about supporting individuals on their journeys toward healing and empowerment.
Her path into therapy was shaped by her own experiences with mental health challenges, which began in high school. Lacking the support she needed at that time ignited a strong desire to become the person who listens and offers support to those in need. Liz holds a master’s degree in counseling from the University of New Mexico and has spent years working with diverse populations, including minors in state custody, newly arrived refugees, and underserved communities. Her role as a school counselor at a charter school with a vibrant LGBTQ+ population further enriched her understanding of the unique challenges faced by individuals from various backgrounds.
Her approach is grounded in a feminist perspective, emphasizing that individuals are the experts of their own lives. She strives to empower people by helping them discover their strengths, connect with valuable resources, and navigate their paths to healing and growth.
Dina Austin, Board Member, has been a proud resident of New Mexico since 1993. With a passion for understanding human connections and development, Dina earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Family Studies from University of New Mexico, focusing on Human Growth and Development and Family Relations.
Dina has worked in education in the Albuquerque area since 2002 and currently teaches fourth grade. She values the rich cultural diversity of New Mexico and finds great joy in working with the youth of our state. Her experiences in education and her dedication to supporting young people fuel her commitment to suicide education and prevention.
Dina and her husband are the proud parents of two grown children, ages 25 and 27, and she strives to help create a safer, more supportive world for all families.
Desiree Woodland, President Emeritus, lives in Albuquerque with her husband Gary, They have two children, Michelle, and Ryan. After Ryan’s suicide she wrote a book called, I Still Believe. After 19 years, she retired from teaching in the Albuquerque and Rio Rancho public schools to co-create and present the use of the Breaking the Silence NM curriculum, which teaches students mental illness and suicide awareness. She also serves on the Board for Survivors of Suicide Albuquerque. She facilitates a mother’s survivor group. Desiree holds a master’s Level Certificate in Grief and Loss and writes on suicide loss and grief.
