Meeting/Event Information

This year, NMPRSA is bringing New Mexico’s communications community together for a new, full-day Strategic Communications Summit followed by the 2026 Cumbre Awards.

Designed for public relations, marketing, communications and business professionals, the Summit will deliver practical insights and fresh perspectives on the issues shaping our profession. The day will conclude with the annual Cumbre Awards ceremony, recognizing New Mexico’s most outstanding public relations, communications and marketing campaigns, strategies and tactics.

Learn. Connect. Lead. Join us September 25 for a full day of ideas, insights and conversations designed to move your communications career and organization forward.

Agenda at a glance

8:15 – 9:00 AM | Registration & Breakfast

9:00 – 11:45 AM | Morning Sessions w/ Networking Breaks

11:45 AM – 12:30 PM | Lunch & Roundtable Discussions 

12:30 – 2:00 PM | Afternoon Sessions w/ Networking Breaks

2:00 – 2:45 PM | Roundtable Discussions 

2:45 – 3:00PM | Closing Remarks 

5:30 PM | Cumbre Awards Cocktail Hour

Roundtable Discussions: Choose Your Conversation

During two scheduled roundtable sessions, choose a topic that interests you and join a focused conversation with fellow PR professionals to share ideas, challenges and questions. It’s a chance to learn from your peers, build connections and leave with practical perspectives you can put to work.

Summit Topics & speakers

Panel discussion with:
Russell Contreras | Senior Race and Justice Reporter, Axios
Russell is an award-winning journalist who covers race, justice and public policy for Axios. His work offers a firsthand perspective on the forces shaping today’s newsrooms and what communicators need to know to effectively engage with the media.

Michael Coleman | Communications Director, Office of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham
Michael’s career lives at the intersection of journalism, policy, and politics. As Washington correspondent for the Albuquerque Journal for nearly two decades, he covered Congress, the White House, and the events that defined an era — from 9/11 to the financial crisis to the rise of the modern political right.

Sunnie R. Clahchischiligi | Indigenous Affairs Editor, High Country News
Sunnie is board president for the Indigenous Journalists Association and has reported for the Navajo Times, the Osage News, The Guardian, USA Today, Rolling Stone, The New York Times and others. She holds a Ph.D. in Rhetoric and Writing and teaches at Arizona State University. 

10-10:45 a.m. - Crisis Communications Readiness [Sponsored by Siarza]
A crisis rarely arrives on your schedule. The best time to prepare is before one happens. This fireside chat will explore how organizations can build readiness, protect their reputations and communicate effectively when the pressure is on.

Ready for the Heat: A Fireside Chat on Crisis Communications
Jon Goldberg | Founder & Chief Reputation Architect, Reputation Architects
Jon brings more than three decades of experience in communications, reputation risk and crisis management. He has advised organizations through complex challenges ranging from investigations and cyberattacks to product recalls, workplace issues and other high-stakes situations.

Kristelle Siarza Moon, APR | Owner and CEO, Siarza
Kristelle is a seasoned entrepreneur, business executive, and non-profit founder with over a decade of expertise in communications and leadership. She launched Siarza, a global public relations, advertising, and marketing agency recognized for its innovative strategies and award-winning campaigns.

11-11:35 a.m. - Developing our PR Workforce [sponsored by ABQ International Sunport]
Building a strong communications team takes more than finding talented people. This session will explore the skills, leadership qualities and strategies organizations need to recruit, develop and retain communications professionals while building teams that can grow with the demands of the profession.

Panel discussion with:
Dezaree Vega-Garcia | CEO, Sunny505
Climbing from an intern in 2022 to partner to Sunny505 President, Dezaree has developed an extensive knowledge in marketing, advertising and public relations. She turns complex projects into strategic, smart marketing plans for an array of clients across industries.

Mandy Leatherwood Guss | Communications Director, City of Las Cruces
Mandy  oversees a team of diverse and talented employees in the City’s Communications Office, a multi-media crew that shares information online and through social media, news releases, advertising and a government access TV channel. The City’s Communications team has been recognized for its work with multiple regional and national awards over the years.

12:30 - 1:15 p.m. - Artificial Intelligence in Practice [Sponsored by The Abbi Agency]
AI has moved beyond experimentation and into the workplace. This panel will examine how organizations are putting artificial intelligence to practical use while navigating questions of ethics, trust, strategy and responsible implementation.

Panel discussion with:
Andrew Sedillo | Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships, NMSU Global Campus
Andrew is revolutionizing education by integrating cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) technologies into traditional and online learning environments. His work with microcredentials and leadership in the university’s metaverse program have opened new pathways for student engagement and innovative teaching practices.

Marissa Le-Baca | PR Account Director, The Abbi Agency
Marisa-Le is a strategic communications professional who develops creative, results-driven campaigns that help clients stand out. With experience across travel, tourism and technology, she works closely with media to tell compelling stories while helping clients measure the impact and return on their communications investment.

1:30-2:05 p.m. - Employee Communications is Business Communications 
[Sponsored by A.Hale PR, Inc]
Explore the intersection of internal communications and marketing —and how these PR functions can help organizations stay focused when the pressure is on. When aligned, they build connection, strengthen culture, improve alignment and help ensure employees understand and can support the organization's broader story.

Panel discussion:
Bernadette Davis, APR | Founder & Chief Strategist, BDC Strategy Group
Bernadette brings more than two decades of experience in corporate communications, public affairs and media, including leadership in internal communications, executive communications, editorial and media relations. She will explore how strategic internal communications can help organizations build stronger cultures, align employees around priorities and create greater consistency between internal and external messaging.

Jill Midyett Zack | Senior Vice President Marketing, Acrisure Protection Group
Jill manages her division's marketing, brand and cultural impact in order to facilitate agency partners, dealer client growth and employee satisfaction. She is a respected growth strategist with broad functional expertise, including go-to-market synergies, technology and business development. 

Registration & Savings 

We are excited to offer these discounts for our daylong learning and celebration event.  When you register use the following discount codes: 

• New Members: $50 off when you register to become a PRSA member. Once we receive your information, we'll send you the coupon code (ends Sept 20). 
• Bundle & Save: Register now for both the Summit and the Cumbre Awards and receive a $25 discount.
• For Cumbre Awards event tickets and table sales only, register here.