Meeting/Event Information
Resilience in a Changing Economy: Building Sustainable Communications Careers, Teams, and Brands
October 22, 2026
7:30 AM - 9:30 AM
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Poulin Marketplace (Upstairs Mezzanine)
8600 Pan American Fwy NE
Albuquerque, NM 87113
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Resilience is often framed as an individual quality: work harder, learn faster, adapt. But in communications, resilience is also shaped by access to opportunity, networks, mentors, flexible work, visibility, and decision-making power.
This conversation explores how communicators can build resilient careers, agencies, communications teams, and brands in an uncertain environment. We will consider practical strategies for navigating change, building professional support systems and creating opportunity across different career stages, work arrangements and communities.
Meet the panelists:
Donyelle Lucero, Chief Operating Officer, Siarza - Backed by a strong academic foundation, a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from New Mexico State University and a master’s degree from the prestigious Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University, Donyelle brings both strategic insight and newsroom-honed discipline to her leadership. Under her operational direction, Siarza is poised to elevate our standards of excellence while staying grounded in who we are: a trusted, people-first agency with a passionate team committed to delivering results and helping our clients succeed.
Jacob Maranda, Public Relations Manager, Sunward -
Jacob Maranda is Public Relations Manager at Sunward Federal Credit Union, where he helps ensure the credit union’s impact and vision connect with communities across the Southwest by centering the stories of members and the people Sunward serves every day. Jacob's work is informed by his experience as a journalist, where he covered the businesses and industries shaping New Mexico’s economy, and as a communications strategist, where he helped forward-thinking companies and organizations grow. He also currently serves as President of Young Professionals of Albuquerque, the premier organization connecting the next generation of leaders in the city.
Rachael Maestas, Owner and Operator, RM Communications - Rachael Maestas is a strategic communications leader with more than a decade of experience in government, advocacy, nonprofit, and consulting communications. She serves as Communications Director for the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center and is the founder of RM Communications LLC, a consulting firm specializing in public relations, digital marketing, and community engagement. A Past President of New Mexico PRSA and longtime nonprofit board member, Rachael has helped organizations build visibility, strengthen relationships, and advance meaningful change. A lifelong New Mexican, she currently lives in Taos.
Moderated by Andie Mercer
Tickets
$20.00 Member Registration
$30.00 Non-Member Registration
$15.00 Student Registration
