Our Team

Powerful Tools for Caregivers Class Leader

Craig Coleman is originally from Amarillo, Texas. He has called New Mexico home for 22 years. He holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Texas-Austin. After a successful career in business, he worked for three years at the Alzheimer's Association-New Mexico Chapter. In this role, Craig taught evidenced based classes, facilitated caregiver support groups and held one-on-one care consultations. He enjoys skiing, hiking and travel of all kinds.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers Class Leader

Born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia, Susana trained as a dentist. Her passion for addressing health inequalities and social justice led her to the U.S., where she earned a Master of Public Health and is currently pursuing a PhD in Sociology at the University of New Mexico. Susana has taught numerous university classes, and coordinated and facilitated programs for newcomer adults, teens, and children to support their well-being. Her dedication to supporting caregivers stems from her work with immigrant women with breast cancer and their support networks, inspiring her continued commitment to her community. Besides her academic and community work, Susana enjoys cooking, nature walks with her dog, Mocha, and spending time with her family and friends.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers Class Leader, Caregiver Support Group Facilitator

Cynthia Florence was born and raised in New Mexico. She received her bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Arizona and taught for four years at an alternative private school in Tucson. She then returned to NM, where for the next 26 years she worked for Albuquerque Public Schools as a kindergarten teacher and a reading teacher. During her teaching career she volunteered with the Albuquerque Teachers Federation as the union representative at her school, and briefly as a member of the board. After retiring from teaching in 2014, she joined the staff at The Grief Center in Albuquerque as Program Coordinator, where she had been volunteering as a co-facilitator in a children's grief group. Since retiring, she volunteers at The Grief Center with special events and new volunteer training. Her passion for helping family caregivers stems from her own experience caring for her grandmother and more recently for her mother.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers Class Leader

Mayra Gabaldon is a housewife and mother of two. She is an entrepreneur and always ready to learn. Since moving to Albuquerque 12 years ago, she has had the opportunity to work with vulnerable people in need of support. As a participant of the Powerful Tools for Caregivers course, Mayra learned that sometimes being not OK is OK. Mayra now brings her skills and talents to help other caregivers with these incredible tools.

Caregiver Support Group Facilitator

Maggie Garner has a Master of Education in Counseling with a specialization in Geriatric Counseling. In her first job out of graduate school, she managed a grant from Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers of America at The Shepherd’s Center of Greensboro, NC. Maggie coordinated, trained, and supported Interfaith Volunteers in their communities. Maggie was Counselor to the 250 residents of a Continuing Care Retirement Community in Greensboro including Independent Living residents as well as residents in Assisted Living care and Nursing care. There she facilitated support groups for caregivers, bereaved individuals and groups helping residents cope with many of the transitions that come with aging and dying. Following retirement Maggie moved with her husband to New Mexico in 2006. Living in New Mexico allows Maggie to travel, experience new cultures and play tennis year-round. Her other passions include reading, learning, hiking, and gardening.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers Class Leader, Caregiver Support Group Facilitator

Susan Lieberman Minkus is originally from the Chicago area. She has called New Mexico home for 20 years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Northeastern Illinois University. She worked for Council for Jewish Elderly and Jewish Family Services, where she advocated for and supported seniors and Holocaust survivors in the community. She is a mom, a music lover, and a bird watcher. She loves being with her family, friends, and her dog Molly.