Our Team

Our board leadership team is poised to make this decade the best ever for The Human Rights Alliance.

Kevin A. Bowen

Executive Director (Pronouns: Any)

As a progressive leader in the Health/Fitness and Pilates profession for over 25 years, he is the Co-founder, past President, and former Executive Director of the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA).

Kevin has been proud to call Santa Fe home twice in his life– once during the late ’80s and again now. He is the owner and director of Core Dynamics Pilates and joined HRA’s  Board in 2019 to help reinvigorate the organization, assist in setting up much-needed systems and community outreach programs, and support the LGBTQ+, and BIPOC  community as the organization evolves to better serve the needs of Santa Fe and Santa Fe county. Kevin became the Executive Director in January of 2023.

Tim Struck

President (Pronouns: Any)

Tim is a native New Mexican and born and raised in the Espanola Valley. Tim began his career in sunny San Diego, which he called home for 10 years. He became involved in the nonprofit sphere with the Finest City Performing Arts, d.b.a Gay Men’s Chorus of San Diego.

Tim moved back to NM in 2009 and started a career in public service. He served on the board of NIETS – The International Justice and Public Safety Network.

Tim is honored to be a part of the HRA and is excited to join the organization in advocating for all members of the LGBTQIA2S+ and marginalized communities within New Mexico and the City Different.

Tim is a runner and certified spin instructor and has two dogs he adores.

Oona Bender

Vice President (Pronouns: Any)

Oona Bender has been a Santa Fe resident since 1981. Since then, she has had the opportunity to play guitar in various bands and become an established disc jockey in many previous LGBTQ nightclubs. Being a disc jockey has also included promoting club nights and parties developing concepts and themes to enhance the public’s interest. One of Oona’s parties, Trash Disco, was probably one of the longest-running dance parties, running for over 15 years. Oona has a BA in Counseling Psychology from The College of Santa Fe and has worked in a clinical environment assisting people with addiction recovery.

Michelle Laflamme-Childs

Board Member (Pronouns: Any)

Michelle Laflamme-Childs has called New Mexico home for over 30 years. She has been a public servant in nonprofits and state government for almost 20 years with the last five serving as Executive Director of New Mexico Arts (NMA)—NM’s federally authorized state arts agency and a division of the state’s Department of Cultural Affairs. She serves on the Executive Committee of the Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area Board of Trustees and on the Creative West Board of Trustees, the Regional Arts Organization (RAO) serving the 13 western US states and three Pacific Jurisdictions.

Michelle is proud to join the HRA, especially in the face of national policy changes directly impacting and endangering LGBTQIA2S+ communities and others whose voices have been routinely sidelined or silenced.

Her personal creative practices include writing poems and spinning fresh beats as a commercial radio DJ in Santa Fe. She holds a BA in English from the University of Massachusetts, an MA from St. John’s College in Santa Fe, and hopes someday to complete her MFA in creative writing at the University of Texas, El Paso.

Katharine E. Clark

Board Member (Pronouns: Any)

Katharine E. Clark serves as the Santa Fe County Clerk, where she has excelled in streamlining administrative processes and fostering award-winning voter engagement programs. A past small business owner focusing on executive management, she holds a dual BA from UC Berkeley and an MBA from UNM, specializing in public policy and strategic management. Katharine has gained valuable experience at the NM Legislature, deeply understanding the policy process and championing policies that positively impact local communities. As a board member, she brings her expertise in operations and community outreach, particularly emphasizing innovation and inclusivity in our programs.

Frederick Quagliana

Board Member (Pronouns: Any)

Freddie, originally from Hoboken, NJ, has called Santa Fe home for over four years, after a meaningful chapter in New Hope, PA. A retired educator and behaviorist, he spent his career advocating for disabled youth, conducting academic assessments, and promoting inclusive education.

Passionate about justice and equality, Freddie instilled accountability and compassion in his students. Now retired, he channels his creativity into hosting joyful gatherings, holiday decorating, and DIY projects—from arts and crafts to transforming furniture and fixtures with flair.

Board Advisory Committee

pamm meyers

Board Advisory Committee (Pronouns: Any)

Cofounder and Producer of Two Flower Productions, a podcasting company for Lip Service, A Podcast of Our Coming Out Stories. 3Q New Mexico’s Premiere Business Podcast, Giving Voice to New Mexico Business Owners. Winners Circle Podcast, sharing the success stories of New Mexico Business Owners.

pamm is CEO of Go Social pamm meyers Social Media, providing digital marketing solutiions for business owners and organizations.

Executive Director of the New Mexico Out Business Alliance Business Development Director, Way Out West Film Festival.

pamm is dedicated to the prosperity of our LGBTQ+ community in though business and social advocacy.

Sara Pecora

Board Advisory Committee (Pronouns: Any)

Sara grew up in the Pittsburgh area, where she co-founded and chaired the University of Pittsburgh’s first LGBTQIA+ employee resource group. She then bounced from there to Orlando, Des Moines, and now here! When she’s not working as an Executive Assistant at Meow Wolf, she is always looking to learn about something new in the City Different.
 
Sara hopes to help her new home be a welcoming place for all, through initiatives like intersectional education and building community connections, especially among isolated populations.

Michael A. Philipson

Board Advisory Committee (Pronouns: Any)

Michael is from Rochester, New York, and currently makes his home there. He has been involved in many LGBTQ+ organizations throughout his life in San Francisco, Miami Beach, Northampton, MA, and Rochester, NY. He was an early member of the AIDS Emergency Fund, a Board Member of PAWS (Pets Are Wonderful Support), and has worked for the OUT Alliance in Rochester. He co-founded Greentopia.org, an organization dedicated to a sustainable future, and the creation of Rochester’s first urban State Park. He is currently the Chief Creative Officer at TPXmc.com in Rochester and works with a variety of clients in both non-profit and for-profit spheres.

Tim Presley

Board Advisory Committee (Pronouns: Any)

Tim is Originally from Panama City, FL but spent his professional career in the Washington DC area as an IT professional working in the luxury hospitality industry. After experiencing the insurrection on Jan 6th 2021 he decided it was time to leave  the big city and head west for fresh air and high desert mountain views.  Currently Tim is the director of IT for the Pueblo of Tesuque Development Corporation.  After arriving in Santa Fe Tim immediately became a volunteer with Santa Fe Pride and has recently been appointed by the Governor of NM to be a member of the Cyber Security Planning Committee.  Tim is an active member of the community and volunteers with several organizations.

Heather Hoffman

Board Advisory Committee (Pronouns: Any)

Heather Hoffman is an executive-level human services professional with over 20 years of experience in the non-profit field, with a focus on providing program management and development to broaden and improve homeless services. In 2017, Heather led community partners to effectively end veteran homelessness in the City of Chattanooga, TN while working for the City of Chattanooga. Heather has been based in New Mexico for 3 years now, working to help end youth homelessness.

Community Relations / PRIDE Committee

Mark Westberg

Community Relations/ PRIDE Committee (Pronouns: Any)

Drag King - Rusty G. Nutz - Tia Reece

Community Relations / PRIDE Committee (Pronouns: Any)