Our staff, board of directors, and advisory board bring expertise in the arts, education, nonprofit management, and creative storytelling – deepened by conviction and personal experience.

About Us

Leadership

Staff

Deborah Boldt – Founding Executive Director

Deborah served for 15 years as the Co-Founding Executive Director of REEL FATHERS where she was responsible for program and partnership development, finance, and marketing/communications. She brings this creative vision and experience to her leadership of YouthExpress NM.

As an award-winning filmmaker, Deborah brings expertise in using film as an educational catalyst. Her feature documentary Miles to Go, co-produced with Hilary Maddux, was released theatrically and won several festival awards, including an Academy Award Certificate of Special Merit. She co-developed the corporate/educational seminar Leading Through the Unknown, using Miles to Go as the basis. Deborah conceived, directed, and produced Fresco, a PBS special with national broadcast and educational outreach. She then directed a 3-year community outreach program in the Twin Cities inspired by Fresco, engaging youth and adults in the creation of five major public artworks on the theme of virtues and core values.

Deborah graduated with honors from Vassar College with a major in English Literature. She's an Aspen Institute Scholar and Lecturer and the recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Regional Fellowship. A graduate of the Leadership Santa Fe program, she served as a board member of New York Women in Film/Television and the Monte del Sol Charter School Foundation in Santa Fe. She's an avid hiker, skier, gardener, and whitewater enthusiast.

As Executive Director, Deborah serves ex officio on the Board of Directors for YouthExpress NM.

Janna Lopez – Poet Mentor

Janna is a poet and award-winning author with extensive experience as a teacher, writing guide, book coach, podcast host, blogger, and retreat leader. Guiding students and clients toward writing freedom and emotional transformation is a focus of her work.

In 2023 she was the Santa Fe Poet Laureate Ambassador, creating public workshops and community-based programs to make poetry equitable and accessible in everyday life. She served as the creative writing outreach educator for New Mexico School for the Arts, traveling throughout the state to reach under-served communities and pueblos to teach creative writing to teenagers.

For REEL FATHERS Janna led Identity in Ink for service learning students at the MASTERS Program Early College Charter High School. She’s led the same program for Creative Writing students at Capital High.

Julie Deery – Artist Mentor

Julie is a mosaic artist and welder passionate about creating community projects that involve youth and adults who would not otherwise be a part of public art. She enjoys combining elements of varied disciplines while creating outdoor murals and sculptures. Her work is in private collections, in schools, and on public walls, including a site at WHYY in Philadelphia.

Julie is the originator and driving force behind the Generations Mural on Santa Fe’s Rail Trail. Several years in the making, it’s a community project composed of mosaic designs and clay sculptures created by community members of all ages. Julie led a residency for REEL FATHERS at El Camino Real Academy where she engaged youth in grades 4-7 in creating mosaics and clay “wisdom animals” that they affixed to the Generations Mural.

After years of teaching and working with community arts organizations on the East coast, Julie has settled in the quiet village of Galisteo. The mother of adult children, she loves to sing, trail run, and travel with her husband Paul in their converted van.

Sarah Johnson – Administrative/Research Associate

Ever since she was a student at St. John's College/Santa Fe, Sarah has studied how people grow from a difficult family situation and turn powerful negative experiences to good. The mother of a young son, she finds it meaningful to work with YouthExpress NM in nurturing the self-awareness of youth and strengthening their family relationships. In her spare time Sarah plays with spreadsheets, words, and languages. Dandelions and thunderstorms are among her favorite things.

Jade Elk – Communications Specialist

Jade has over 40 years’ experience in publishing, marketing, advertising, communications, graphic design, and project management. With a BS in Journalism from Northern Illinois University, she began as a copywriter and editor, flowing into layout and design, video editing, website design and development, e-commerce, and digital publishing as each new technology gained prominence. Currently working from her home in Redding, California, Jade enjoys gardening and paddle boarding.

Board of Directors

Juan brings a strong background in business, marketing, and entrepreneurship to his leadership of YouthExpress NM. Before emigrating to the U.S. at 28 from his native Colombia, he was a marketing professional. In Santa Fe he founded and now serves as board president of Capoeira Santa Fe, a social profit organization teaching the Brazilian martial art of capoeira. Since 2016 Juan has been a Business/Marketing teacher at Capital High School. He’s a board member of New Mexico DECA, an international organization for high school and college marketing/business clubs.

Before he learned to speak English, Juan was an enthusiastic participant with his infant son in REEL FATHERS’ parenting skills program. Juan continues his Capoeira practice, plays community soccer, and is the proud father of two beautiful young children.

Charlotte Casey - Director

Charlotte brings meaningful experience to YouthExpress NM through her nontraditional family background and her work as a storyteller and film professional.

Charlotte was raised in Santa Fe by two loving mothers and a diverse, vibrant community. She received a BFA In Cinematic Arts at the University of New Mexico. She’s worked professionally in film and television in New York City, Los Angeles, and New Mexico. Charlotte’s first short film Sunday's Child was accepted into 6 major film festivals, with its national debut at the 2021 OUTFEST Film Festival.

Most recently Charlotte has worked in production on Taylor Sheridan’s popular1923 television series. As her true passion is screenwriting, she’s been learning the craft of storytelling from a contemporary master. She aspires to tell stories that plumb every emotion of what it means to be human.

Marc brings his background as a small-business owner/entrepreneur, author/blogger, educator, and activist to YouthExpress NM. For 29 years he directed marketing, sales, outreach, and advocacy for Reflective Jewelry, a Santa Fe-based company he co-founded with his wife Helen Chantler in 1995. At Reflective, Marc pioneered ethical sourcing in the jewelry sector, focusing on creating regenerative economic models for impoverished small-scale producers.

Earlier in his career, Marc taught English to Native American high school students and directed an orphanage in Haiti. Marc has served on the nonprofit boards of the Turquoise Trail Regional Alliance and the Santa Fe Green Chamber of Commerce. He's a graduate of Brown University and has a Masters degree from St. John's College.

Marc Choyt, MA - Secretary

As our youngest director, Gabriela brings to the Board her firsthand experience of YouthExpress NM’s programs. She was a participant for two years in REEL FATHERS' service learning program at The MASTERS Program Early College Charter High School. Senior year she assisted our artist mentor as a peer leader, guiding teams of younger students in collective art projects and creating her own art work.

Gabriela is the first child in her family to attend college. She won a prestigious Davis New Mexico Scholarship to attend the University of Denver. While she pursues her studies, she continues to participate as an engaged director through board meetings conducted by zoom and during vacations while home in Santa Fe.

As a youth, and as a former program participant/peer leader, Gabriela brings invaluable experience and insight to YouthExpress NM's programming.

Gabriela Corral - Director

Jeff Pine, MSPH, CMC, MS – Director Emeritus

Jeff is the founding director of EGIS (Elders Getting Information and Services). Since 1998 EGIS has been a pioneering agency providing services enabling older adults to age in place at home, in a retirement community, or a care facility.

In addition to his business management expertise, Jeff was an Advanced Professional member of the Aging Life Care Association™ (ALCA). He served as President of the Board of Directors of ALCA and is a Past President of the Western Region Chapter of ALCA. Jeff directed county health operations and services in northern New Mexico for the NM Department of Health. Previously he operated Community Health Services, an organization providing case management to individuals with HIV/AIDS.

Jeff is a graduate of the University of North Texas with graduate degrees in Public Health and Community Development from the University of Missouri. Fluent in Spanish and a former marathon runner, he enjoys tennis and other recreational sports. Jeff is married to his partner of 30+ years, Tom. He is a proud father and grandfather – his daughter and her wife Carmen are raising two beautiful daughters.

As Director Emeritus, Jeff works with us on board recruitment, donor relations, and strategic planning.

Advisory Board

Hakim Bellamy

Hakim is the Inaugural Poet Laureate of Albuquerque, a national and regional Poetry Slam Champion, and award-winning published poet. He is the co-creator of the multimedia Hip Hop theater production Urban Verbs that’s been staged throughout the country, and he is the founding president of Beyond Poetry LLC. As an educator, Hakim has facilitated youth writing workshops for schools, jails, churches, prisons, and community organizations. He wrote the original curriculum for REEL FATHERS’ program Identity in Ink and directed the first three program cycles in Santa Fe Public Schools.

Hakim has served as the on-air television host for !COLORES!, the New Mexico PBS weekly art series. He is a musician, actor, and children’s book author. He holds an M.A. in Communications from the University of New Mexico (UNM) and is a former Kellogg Fellow. Currently working for his Law degree at UNM, Hakim is the proud father of a teenage son.

Hakim advises YouthExpress NM on program development, outreach, and staffing for Identity in Ink, a program he originated.

John Paul Granillo

John Paul (JP) is well-known locally as a skilled artist, youth advocate/educator, and community leader. As an artist, he works in a range of materials -- stone, wood, oil paint, acrylic, ink, graphite, airbrush, and aerosol. A founding member of the Alas de Agua (Wings of Water) Art Collective, JP has led numerous community mural projects. These give youth the opportunity to work collaboratively, express their artistry and convictions, and learn about the values of Chicano culture and heritage.

JP served as REEL FATHERS’ first Artist mentor, leading our year-long service learning program at the MASTERS Early College Charter High School. He’s led numerous residencies for us on the theme of identity at Capital High School and El Camino Real Academy. He now directs YouthWorks’ Culinary Arts program.

JP is known for his exceptional ability to connect with, affirm, and inspire youth who are struggling, as well as his ability to think strategically about programs and resources. Recently he was invited to advise the Governor’s staff on state programs to support New Mexico youth. JP is the dedicated father of a blended family, working closely with his wife Gina to raise their 5 children, ages 6 to 22.

JP advises YouthExpress NM on program design, staffing, partnership and funding opportunities.

Larry Rayburn, MA

Larry is a Jungian analyst practicing in Santa Fe, and he serves as the President of the C.G. Jung Institute of Santa Fe. He has a special interest and expertise in male psychology. After graduating from Prescott College, he earned his Masters in Counseling Psychology from the Pacifica Graduate Institute. He wrote his thesis on the Father – the archetype and the person. In his practice Larry works with many fathers and sons.

Before he was a therapist and analyst, Larry worked in the construction industry. He served on the founding board of Monte del Sol Charter School in Santa Fe. The father of an adult daughter, Larry likes to play various folk instruments and spend time on the river and in the outdoors.

A former board member of REEL FATHERS, Larry advises YouthExpress NM on how our programs can best support the psychological and emotional well-being of youth.

Marsie Sylvestro, M.Ed

Marsie is an internationally known author, composer, artist, motivational speaker, counselor, life coach, and consultant. She is recognized locally and nationally for her nonprofit leadership experience and her work in business and politics. Marsie has received numerous state and national awards for her work on domestic violence, human rights, and social justice issues. Over a career spanning more than 50 years, she has served as executive director of several nonprofit agencies, most recently Esperanza Shelter in Santa Fe.

Currently Marsie consults for nonprofits and co-facilitates the Santa Fe Community Foundation’s Executive Director Learning Circle. She holds a BA in Fine Arts and Theology, and an M.Ed in Pastoral Counseling. She was named Santa Fe’s Business Woman of the Year by the Santa Fe Professional Business Women’s Association. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Marsie enjoys being a published poet and music composer.

Marsie advises REEL FATHERS on fundraising, marketing/communications, and strategic planning.