Board of Directors
Diana O’Brien, M.S.,LMFT,IMH-E
Board President
Diana O’Brien is the Director of Impact and Outreach for the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico (CFSNM). She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with expertise in collective impact, community engagement, teaching, and clinical behavioral health.
Diana earned her Infant Mental Health Endorsement in 2021 and is the founder of the Random Acts of Kindtrip, a project promoting kindness and community connection. In her role at CFSNM, Diana focuses on strengthening communities through advocacy and program development that fosters systemic and generational change. She is also adjunct faculty at New Mexico State University and actively serves on boards and coalitions, including Tierra Del Sol Housing Corporation and Doña Ana County Early Childhood Education Coalition.
A proud New Mexican, Diana is passionate about creating spaces where individuals feel valued and connected. She resides in Las Cruces with her husband and two dogs, enjoying travel and passionately serving the state of New Mexico.
Judy Hudson, PhD
Board Vice President
Dr. Judy Hudson holds a BS in Family and Child Development from Kansas State University, an MS in Early Childhood Education from Emporia State University, and a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from New Mexico State University. Her research focused on advocacy within the New New Mexico Early Childhood Higher Education Taskforce.
Throughout her career, Dr. Hudson has worked in early childhood education, teaching in preschools for developmentally challenged children, dual immersion classrooms, and serving as a home visitor for eight years. She recently retired as Director of Teacher Education at San Juan College in Farmington, New Mexico, where she also chaired the Education, Languages, and Communication Departments.
Dr. Hudson is passionated about early childhood education, advocacy, and supporting educators’ professional growth to create equitable opportunities for children and families.
Felicia Ramirez
Board Secretary
Felicia Ramirez, a New Mexico native from La Mesa, has dedicated her career to supporting children and families. She began as a Developmental Specialist and Family Service Coordinator with Aprendamos Intervention Team and later taught Head Start for Las Cruces Public Schools (LCPS). Currently, she serves as the Social Emotional Specialist for LCPS’s Early Childhood Program.
Felicia holds a BA in Education from the University of Arizona and an MA in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education from New Mexico State University. She has also worked as an Online ESL Instructor with VIPKid and supports the McKinney-Vento Program as a tutor and mentor.
Felicia participates in the Flourishing Families Mentoring Program by Jardin de los Niños and draws inspiration from her three children, Christopher, Alexie, and Elijah. In her free time, she enjoys reading, fitness, and promoting health and wellness.
Inez Ingle, M.ED., DSIII, IMH-E
Endorsement Committee
Inez Ingle has been a dedicated member of the Association and its Board of Directors since 2009 and currently serves as Chair of the Endorsement Committee. She has held an Infant Mental Health-Clinical endorsement since 2009.
Inez earned a degree in Psychology with a minor in Anthropology from Bennington College and later completed a Master’s in Early Childhood/Special Education at Lesley College. Since moving to New Mexico in 1982, she has focused on Early Childhood Intervention, primarily serving infants, toddlers, and their families in Rio Arriba County.
In addition to direct service, Inez has spent the past several years providing Reflective Supervision. She is guided by principles of cooperation, collaboration, communication, and respect—values that form the foundation of her relationship-based work. She also emphasizes the importance of slowing down and reflecting in both her professional and personal life.
Christina Riddle
Promotion Training and Website Chair
Christina Riddle found her home in New Mexico over twenty years ago, where she met her husband while working for an Early Head Start program in Santa Fe. She earned a Bachelor of Social Work degree from New Mexico Highlands University and spent over seven years with Child Protective Services, where she discovered her passion for supporting young children and families.
A brief time in Bisbee, Arizona, provided Christina with personal and professional experience in infant and early childhood mental health. She then earned a Master of Social Work degree from Arizona State University before returning to New Mexico, where she and her family settled in Silver City.
Christina is currently the Program Director for the WNMU Family Counseling Center, which offers social-emotional and play-based interventions for young children. She is also in the process of becoming rostered in Child-Parent Psychotherapy, focusing on nurturing relationships to promote healing and positive lifelong outcomes.
Rachel Williams
Membership and Nominating Chair
Rachel Williams has served as a Home Visiting Training and Development Consultant for the University of New Mexico since 2020. Before this role, she managed an Early Intervention program and has spent over 10 years working with New Mexico families. With a strong background in early childhood development, Rachel is deeply passionate about supporting families in various capacities.
Her enthusiasm for Home Visiting grew significantly after becoming a consultant, especially through her work in reflective practice. Rachel holds a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education and a Master’s in Education, Curriculum and Instruction. She is dedicated to continuously enhancing her expertise and compassion in her field.
A mother of three children aged 14, 11, and 9, Rachel enjoys spending time with her family, playing volleyball, hiking, and traveling. Her commitment to her professional growth and family keeps her both grounded and inspired in her work.
Lindsey Lopez, IMH-E
Lindsey Lopez lives in Albuquerque’s South Valley with her family and has worked as a Training and Development Consultant at the University of New Mexico for four years. She has supported home visiting through UNM, HSC, CDD, and now works within the Family Development Program at the College of Education and Human Sciences.
Lindsey holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health and is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, Community Health Worker, and holds an Infant Mental Health Endorsement Level II. She is also a Circle of Security facilitator, FAN Certified Level II, and recently completed a certificate in Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation.
Before transitioning to UNM, Lindsey was a Head Start and Early Head Start center director and worked in Early Intervention. Through her role with the Family Development Program, she has supported community Early Childhood coalitions, WEmagination, and appeared as a guest on The Early Show with Alax, supporting ECECD’s Moments Together as the “Champion of Play.”
NMAIMH Staff
Liz Martinez, LMSW, IMH-E, IECMHC
Executive Director
Liz Martinez is the Executive Director of the New Mexico Association of Infant Mental Health. She holds a Bachelor”s degree in Psychology from the University of New Mexico and a Master of Social Work from New Mexico Highlands University. Liz has been dedicated to Early Childhood Education since 2001.
A lifelong New Mexico resident, Liz grew up in Roswell and now lives in Albuquerque’s South Valley with her husband and daughter. She is passionate about supporting infant mental health and early childhood development in her community.
Liz enjoys spending time outdoors—whether on the softball field or walking her dogs along the Rio Grande. Her love for both her work and family is rooted in her commitment to the well-being and development of children and families throughout New Mexico.
Katrina Castillo, M.Ed, IMH-E
Endorsement Coordinator
Katrina Castillo is a lifelong resident of Las Cruces, New Mexico, and has dedicated her career to Early Childhood Education. She is passionate about direct service and is a Master II State Approved Trainer. Katrina earned a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and a Master of Arts in Special Education, focusing on teaching the visually impaired, from New Mexico State University.
Since 2006, Katrina has worked with NM GRADS as the Director of a Focus 5-Star Center, child care mentor, and statewide trainer. She has held an Infant Mental Health Endorsement since 2014 and has been involved with the New Mexico Association for Infant Mental Health (NMAIMH) since 2016.
As a mother of seven and a Treatment Foster Care parent, Katrina has welcomed many children into her home. She also enjoys CrossFit as part of her self-care routine.
Kassandra Gonzales, MA, LPCC, IMH-E, IECMHC
Agency Liaison with NM SEED
Kassandra Gonzales was born and raised in New Mexico. Kassandra holds a Bachelor of Science in Family Studies and a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling from the University of New Mexico. She has recently received a graduate certificate in Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) from Georgetown University. Kassandra was a 2023-2024 Bank Street College of Education Early Childhood Policy Fellow.
Her early childhood experience began as an early childhood educator for seven years, moving into the behavioral and mental health field where she started in a Treatment Foster Children, and Behavioral Management. In her clinical work, Kassandra is a trained play therapist for the past 7 years. In her most recent role prior to joining the NMAIMH, Kassandra worked at ECECD as the IECMHC Coordinator, where she worked to develop a statewide IECHMC program in collaboration with national and statewide experts in the field of IECMHC.
Kassandra still plays a role in the statewide IECMHC program in her role at the NMAIMH which offers her flexibility to be present with her preschool-aged son.