Board of Directors

Carl Dallas Broach is a native of Chicago, Illinois, who has resided in New Mexico since 2001. Carl is a mental health therapist who has worked with diverse populations in New Mexico during his nineteen years in the state. He adds a great deal of state and local government experience to the makeup of our board. Carl has been on the Board of Directors since 2016 and, until recently, served as vice-chair.

Melissa Armijo is currently the Office Manager at the National Hispanic Cultural Center Foundation. Before that, she was a Special Assistant to the Dean of Students at UNM. Melissa is a recent graduate of Emerge New Mexico and has completed courses through UNM’s Anderson School of Management in Women in Leadership Development and Non-Profit Management. Melissa recently served as the Secretary on the Board.

After several years of service, Walter Vigil begins a new role on the YDI Board of Directors as Secretary. Walter has been a dedicated servant to the youth of New Mexico for decades, from his beginnings as an Assistant Director at the Lucero Center, to the many lives he impacted as a Juvenile Probation Officer in Española, to his role as CEO for Human Resource Development Associates, Inc., to help provide alternatives to long-term incarcerations in adult and juvenile institutions. Walter brings his vast knowledge and experience serving as a Board Member on the New Mexico Reality Therapy Association, Taos Optimist Club, New Mexico Association of Drug Court Professionals, Secretary/Treasurer on the Taos Community Corrections Career Education and Formation Program, and as an appointed Executive Board Member to the Taos Juvenile Justice Board. Walter has been faithfully serving as a Board Member to the youth and families of YDI since 2017.

Tim Lopez–B.S., MBA (HCM). New Mexico Department of Health, Public Health Division, Population and Community Health Bureau Chief.

Tim has over 30 years of service and advocacy for the incredible children and families of New Mexico. He has served in multiple leadership roles in New Mexico, including grassroots nonprofit organizations, rural critical-access hospitals, and County health and social services. He has been with the New Mexico Department of Health, Public Health Division, for 12 years. Currently, he provides public health leadership of the Population and Community Health Bureau (PCHB) Team, which engages in core public health functions and provides essential public health services throughout New Mexico. Tim and the PCHB team work to improve the lives of New Mexicans by allocating resources to enhance the health and equity status of New Mexicans through the proper alignment of funding, committed partnerships, and evidence–based practices. Mr. Lopez holds an MBA/HCM (Health Care Management) and a B.S. in Community Health Education.

Mark Dinelli is a personal injury attorney who fights to ensure that injury victims receive fair compensation. Over the years, Mark has earned millions of dollars for his clients by aggressively holding insurance companies and their clients accountable. Mark is a native New Mexican and resident of Albuquerque. He attended Saint Pius X High School, where he became a two-time state champion as a member of the nationally renowned soccer team. Mark received his undergraduate degree in Criminology from the University of New Mexico in 2009. Thereafter, he attended the University of New Mexico School of Law, where he was repeatedly placed on the Honor Roll. Through diligence and perseverance, Mark graduated from law school a semester early.

Mary Hale has been serving the Special Education children and community of New Mexico for over 35 years. With over 375 hours of combined specialized early childhood trainings, such as Nurtured Heart Approach, Infant and Children’s Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Pre-Natal and Post-Natal issues, Parent-Infant Relationships, and Mind in the Making to name just a few, Mary has dedicated her life and work to develop policies, procedures, and trainings to ensure both APS and YDI help and care for children with special education requirements and needs. Mary worked as Special Education Manager here at YDI before moving on to APS as a Development Preschool Special Education Support Teacher, as well as a Development Consultant for the UNM School of Medicine’s Grandparent Outreach Program. Mary has been a dedicated member of the YDI Board of Directors since 2016.

Louise Sanchez has been serving her community for twenty years. Currently, she serves as the Director of the RAC STOP Program, where she oversees several programs that support adults, adolescents, and adjudicated youth. Louise also sits on the boards of eighteen other community organizations and serves five public school districts. Louise believes that it “takes a village” and is excited to be making a difference in her community by connecting those in need with resources.

Steve Lucero is a Public Health Planner specializing in addiction medication policy and community-based approaches to improving public health. He is an independent contractor serving as Executive Director of the New Mexico Hispanic Medical Association, Lobbyist for the New Mexico Academy of Family Physicians, and Public Health Planner for the Health Equity Council.

Mark Lovato was appointed General Counsel for the New Mexico Corrections Department in 2023. He graduated cum laude from the University of New Mexico with a degree in Criminal Justice and earned his Juris Doctor from the University of New Mexico School of Law.

Mark began his legal career as a Senior Trial Prosecutor with the 8th Judicial District Attorney’s Office and later served nearly 18 years as an Assistant Attorney General in the Criminal Appeals Division of the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General. During his tenure, he worked closely with NMCD staff, providing legal counsel on state and federal habeas corpus proceedings and serving as a resource attorney for district attorney offices throughout the state.

As General Counsel, Mark has focused on building a strong legal team, streamlining internal procedures, and modernizing departmental systems.

Outside of his professional work, Mark volunteers with the New Mexico Chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and enjoys archery and golf.