Marisa Magallanez’s journey from UNM to nonprofit leadership

When Anderson alum Marisa Magallanez walked into her flamenco class as an undergraduate, she never imagined it would spark a passion for nonprofit leadership. What began as an artistic curiosity soon became a gateway to community, purpose, and impact.

On Jan. 1, Magallanez officially began her role as president and CEO of the Albuquerque Community Foundation and New Mexico Community Trust and most recently was named a 2026 "Women Who Mean Business" honoree by Albuquerque Business First. A native New Mexican, she brings both deep nonprofit expertise and a profound love for her home state to the role.

Magallanez's interest in flamenco introduced her to Albuquerque's vibrant flamenco community, including the National Institute of Flamenco. It was there that she first stepped into the nonprofit world as an intern, an experience that would prove transformative.

"I found myself in this place where I discovered a sense of community that I was really craving," Magallanez said, reflecting on that time.

After earning her bachelor's degree in Women's Studies from The University of New Mexico, she decided to continue her education at the Anderson School of Management, pursuing an MBA. At the time, she was not entirely sure where her path would lead.

"I had no idea what I wanted to do," Magallanez said. "I loved the community and the art of flamenco, but I was really intrigued by the structure of a nonprofit behind that."

She completed her MBA in 2006 with a concentration in policy and planning. Her time at Anderson was deeply influenced by her role as a graduate assistant in the dean's office, where she formed enduring professional relationships that she still maintains to this day and credits this time as a huge part of her growth.

Following graduation, Magallanez joined the National Institute of Flamenco full-time as its finance manager and eventually grew into roles in marketing and development. Her decision to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector initially surprised her parents.

"I remember telling my mom and dad, 'I am going to work for a nonprofit,' and they were like, 'What? You just got an MBA," she recalled with a laugh. "I don't think they understood what that meant. But I knew this was where I needed to be."

That instinct, and a deep sense of purpose, have guided Magallanez throughout her career over the past 14 years and ultimately led her to the Albuquerque Community Foundation.

"I think my whole pursuit of mission-based impact work has been fueled by this broader idea that I want to work and serve my community and my state at large," she said.

Magallanez's connection to New Mexico runs deep. She grew up in Mesquite and spent significant time in Española, where her mother grew up, before eventually settling in Albuquerque. Experiencing southern, northern, and central New Mexico has given her a broad and nuanced understanding of the state she serves.

"New Mexico is an incredible place. It is so special," Magallanez said. "The complexity of our culture, our land, and our identities, shaped over hundreds and hundreds of years, really matters. I don't think of my work as just work. It is a calling. To be able to do that in the place where I grew up, where my family and friends live, the place I call home, it is the best thing ever."

That love for New Mexico directly shapes how she defines leadership and success.

"Leading authentically, with a good open heart, and trying to do the best that I can for our community, that is what success looks like to me," Magallanez said. "And that extends to the people we serve, our donors, the nonprofits we partner with, and our staff."

She acknowledges that leadership inevitably comes with both highs and lows but says her guiding constant is an authentic leadership philosophy grounded in purpose. In her new role, Magallanez is energized by the people and possibilities that define community foundations.

"I love community foundations because they are so rooted in place," she said. "They're made up of an incredible array of people-donors with diverse backgrounds and goals, nonprofits doing amazing work, and staff deeply committed to impact. They are vibrant, dynamic organizations that operate best when we put all our tools to work. It's a creative space for me, and one that constantly energizes me."

Her advice for current students draws from the opportunities that shaped her own formative years at UNM.

"These times we're living in are complex and can feel divisive or isolating," she said. "So, I would say: find your community-and find more than one. Don't be afraid to follow your instincts and your passions, even if they don't make sense to everyone around you. Give yourself permission to pursue what calls you."

Today, Magallanez's journey stands as a powerful example of how curiosity, community, and purpose can shape a meaningful career. From a flamenco classroom at UNM to leading philanthropic institutions, her path reflects the value of following what resonates deeply, even when the destination is unclear.