The City of Albuquerque has appointed Sonya Lara as the new Director for the Office of Equity and Inclusion. The office's mandate is to cultivate a workforce that mirrors the community, boost local procurement and business with minority-owned enterprises, prioritize city investments in historically underfunded areas, and ensure that city services are delivered with an emphasis on equity.
Mayor Tim Keller expressed his gratitude towards Ms. Lara for joining their team and leading this crucial work. "We created the Office of Equity and Inclusion to better serve our diverse community, and because we believe that Albuquerque can be a national role model for racial equity and social justice," said Mayor Keller. "I am grateful that Sonya is joining our team to lead this important work as we move our city forward."
Ms. Lara is known for her commitment to advancing strategies that reduce economic disparity and foster respect among marginalized communities. She has consistently championed social impact in both her professional life and volunteer faith-based work, aiding individuals and organizations in realizing community goals aimed at promoting family stability and enhancing educational opportunities.
Before joining the City of Albuquerque, Ms. Lara served as the Senior Director of Community Impact at the United Way of North Central New Mexico. Here she brought together regional leaders to support families in need. A proud graduate of the University of New Mexico, Ms. Lara completed her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in public administration at this institution.
