For the first time in 20 years, the state’s largest community foundation has a new leader — and they didn’t have to go far to find her.
Marisa Magallanez officially took the helm of the Albuquerque Community Foundation and the New Mexico Community Trust as president and CEO on Jan. 1. Magallanez, a native of Mesquite in southern New Mexico, assumed the role after the retirement of Randy Royster who served in the role for 20 years. after previously helping guide the Foundation through a period of strategic growth and organizational refreshing.
During a previous tenure with the foundation, she oversaw the creation of the organization’s current strategic plan, according to the organization, and helped to grow the foundations’ assets to more than $180 million today. The foundation distributed more than $12 million to community organizations, scholarships and partnerships in 2024, the last year data is immediately available. Community foundations serve many roles including serving as a fiscal sponsor for startup nonprofits, pooling donor advised funds to create larger impact for specific issues and providing scholarships for local students.
“Community is built through connection, trust, and the willingness to show up for one another,” Magallanez said in a statement from the foundation. “The work ahead is significant, but so is our collective commitment to one another.”
In her new role, Magallanez will lead both organizations in their mission to connect donors, nonprofits, and civic partners to address complex statewide challenges.
“Marisa brings strategic clarity and a genuine commitment to community engagement,” said Debbie Harms, the Foundation’s Board of Trustees chair and CEO of NAI SunVista. “She honors our legacy while boldly guiding the Foundation into its next chapter.”