DeAnza M. Valencia serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation (NHCCF). A licensed New Mexico attorney and native New Mexican, Valencia joins the NHCCF with extensive legislative and leadership experience at the federal and state level. Prior to joining the Foundation, Valencia was an attorney with Roybal-Mack & Cordova P.C. Additional roles include serving as National Director of the Family and Caregiving team in Government Affairs at AARP and the State Advocacy Director for AARP New Mexico. Valencia has represented AARP on the Business Board of Advisors of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators and proudly serves on the Boards of the New Mexico State University Foundation and the Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School Foundation. She holds two undergraduate degrees from New Mexico State University, a master's degree from the School of Justice & Social Inquiry at Arizona State University and a juris doctorate from the University of New Mexico School of Law.
Yesim Roth takes the CFO position with a wealth of experience in finance and strategic leadership, spanning a 30-year career that began on Wall Street at Lehman Brothers, followed by senior roles in corporate finance and capital markets at Citibank Turkey. Additionally, Yesim has served as CFO, Strategy Director, and General Manager across industries, including CPG, telecom, pharmaceuticals, biotech, venture capital, and renewable energy. Most recently, she was the Finance Director for a leading nonprofit in Albuquerque. Yesim is passionate about NHCC’s mission and brings expertise in financial restructuring and cross-functional collaboration to the organization. She received a B.A. in Economics and Computer Science from Smith College and a Master’s in International Economics and Finance from Brandeis University.
Joey Gutierrez is the Director of Development and joins the team with extensive experience in fundraising, nonprofit leadership, and community engagement. His previous leadership roles include Development Program Director at the NM State Bar Foundation, Foundation Development Director at Menaul School, and Membership Director at the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce. Joey is committed to expanding philanthropic support and strengthening partnerships to advance NHCC’s mission. Born and raised in Albuquerque, Joey has earned multiple associate degrees, a BBA, and an MBA from Central New Mexico Community College and the University of New Mexico.
Mia Hernandez is a recent graduate from Loyola University of Chicago, with a bachelor's in communication studies Magna Cum Laude.