Vanessa Montaño

Board Vice President

Sandia National Laboratory, Business Management Professional

Vanessa Montaño was born and raised in Rio Rancho, NM, and graduated with her Master’s in Social Work and a Master’s in Business and Accounting from New Mexico Highlands University. She has over twelve years of experience in banking and finance. She currently works as a project manager at Sandia National Labs. She has served as the Vice President of the Prosperity Works Board and has been on the board since 2022. Vanessa has served on many boards, including Fathers Building Futures, the Loan Approval Committee at WESST, Junior Achievement, and New Mexico Kids Matter. Each of these experiences has allowed her to use her strengths and skills from her MSW and MBA.  Vanessa constantly seeks opportunities to be involved in her community through volunteering. 

​Fun fact: Vanessa is a female car enthusiast who loves getting her hands dirty by wrenching on cars. She has a project car that will someday be track-ready.

Mike Athens

Board Treasurer

New Mexico Climate Investment Center – COO

Mike Athens has over 18 years of experience in the financial industry, helping New Mexicans access safe and affordable financial products. He has always had a strong affiliation with the local community, participating in numerous community service organizations. Mr. Athens previously served as the CEO of Rio Grande Credit Union and Vice President of Association Services at the Credit Union Association of New Mexico. Mike has been married to his wife, Sue Anne, for over thirty years, and together they have one son.

Fun Fact: Mike is a former Associate Peace Corps Director and helped support the American Mission in Tanzania, East Africa, and the U.S. Peace Corps in Washington, DC.

Vickie Oldman

Board Secretary

Founding Partner, Seven Sister Community Development 

Vickie is a founding partner with Seven Sisters Community Development  Group, LLC, a national community development consulting firm, the Principal of Kitseallyboy Consulting, LLC, and founder of  Real Native Roots: Untold Stories Podcast.

Vickie specializes in culturally relevant approaches to organizational development. She has over 25 years of expertise in strategic planning, board development, leadership training, team building, asset building, and executive coaching to Native and rural communities. She is recognized nationally as a skilled facilitator, trainer, and speaker. Vickie is a certified coach, trainer and facilitator for Emergent Learning, Leadership that Works, Institute of Cultural Affairs’ ToP Strategic Planning and Workshop Methods, True Colors, Nonprofit Management, Building  Native Communities: Financial Skills for Families, and the Grove Team Performance Model.

Vickie has a Master’s in Social Work with a concentration in Community Planning and Administration from New Mexico Highlands University. She also holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Arizona State  University. She is an enrolled member of the Navajo tribe, and her clans are Black Streak of the Forest.

Fun Fact: Vickie is a podcaster, rock collector, novice photographer, music fanatic, always experimenting in the kitchen, and often on a hunt for adventure.

Karina Burciaga​

Board Member

UNM Law Student

Karina Burciaga has dedicated more than 10 years to the nonprofit sector, advancing initiatives in immigrant rights, economic development, education, housing, and refugee and asylee services. She is a first-generation college graduate who earned a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of New Mexico and is currently pursuing a Juris Doctor degree at the University of New Mexico School of Law.

Fun fact: Karina thinks she can recreate anything from a tutorial, like cooking, baking, arts/crafts, hair styles, and party decorations!