Thomas E. Chávez is a member of Spain’s Royal Academy of History and the Orden de la Isabel la Católica, level of Encomienda. He is a Research Associate Professor for the University of New Mexico’s Latin American and Iberian Institute. He also is Chairman of the Instituto Cervantes Albuquerque Advisory Committee. He is the former director of the Palace of the Governors State History Museum in Santa Fe and the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque. Has received a Fulbright Research Grant and a grant from Dirección General de Relaciones Culturales y Científicas de los Ministerio e Asunto Exteríores. He is the author of fourteen published books, three of which have been published in translation in Spain. Dr. Chávez has
received the National History Medal from the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Zia
Award from the University of New Mexico Alumni Association. He received his Ph.D. in history
from the University of New Mexico.

Eleanor Ortiz spent most of her life in education, teaching 8th graders “new math" while still in high school.  Spent 30 years as a math teacher and Assistant Principal and Assistant Superintendent in the Santa Fe Public Schools, has a BS Degrees in Mathematics and Biology from Southeast Oklahoma State University, MA in Liberal Arts from St. John's College in Santa Fe, a Great Books Curriculum, and an Educational Administration Certification from Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico.

Elected to two, four-year terms to the New Mexico State Board of Education, serving three years as President, and elected to one four-year term to the New Mexico Education Commission, serving as President.  Lobbied for education at the state legislature, worked on public school improvement with the Panasonic Educational Foundational and Brown University's School Improvement Project. Worked with late husband chair of the New Mexico Commission, on Higher Education, Santa Fe School Board, and Speaker of the New Mexico House of Representatives, to establish the Santa Fe Community College.  Served on the Foundation Board for several years.

Chosen as "One of Ten Who Made a Difference in Santa Fe" by the local newspaper, serves on the Altar Guild, Mission and Outreach and Hospitality Committees at her church.  Was a member of the Tesuque Volunteer Fire Department for many years, member of Santa Fe Economic Council, Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce and member of Santa Fe Affordable Housing Task Force. An active Realtor along with her DAR daughter.  Eleanor is a member of National Society Magna Carta Dames and Barons, Colonial Dames of the XVII Century, Daughters of the War of 1812, United Daughters of the Confederacy, and Cameo.  She is a Legacy. 

Zack Quintero is a 14th generation New Mexican from southern New Mexico (Mesilla/Las Cruces area). He is a graduate of University of New Mexico School of Law and New Mexico State University. Zack has worked in local, state, and federal government settings throughout his career. Zack first started in government with a fellowship in the US Department of State young leaders program where he supported the office in reporting on the Scottish referendum and national security items. After his fellowship, Zack began his work in local government with the City of Santa Fe Economic Development Department, reporting to and directly advising Mayor Javier Gonzales on family poverty issues, the creative arts economy, and growing the next generation of young entrepreneurs in the city. After working for the City of Santa Fe, Zack attended law school where he served on Mexican American Law Student Association and was elected online editor of the New Mexico Law Review. In 2019, Zack was appointed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham as the Federal Ombudsman of New Mexico where he served throughout the majority of the national COVID-19 pandemic. In his work, Zack investigated abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of seniors, veterans, and adults with disabilities in healthcare settings across the state of New Mexico. Zack joined the team of the National Hispanic Cultural Center as Executive Director in 2023, since then he and the NHCC team have helped the center grow and meet its statewide and national mandate of protecting and advancing Hispanic/Latina/Gente arts, culture, history, and language. Most recently, the center signed a first of its kind international Arts and Diplomacy MOU between the government of Mexico and State of New Mexico, hosted SOMOS Albuquerque Music Festival, and is now preparing for its 25th anniversary on October 25th.