Board Members
Anita Bringas, President
anitanbringas@gmail.com
Anita N. Bringas is the Strategic Support Manager at UNM-Taos, a role that includes community engagement, government affairs, marketing and communications, and strategic initiatives. She oversees the departments of Human Resources, Business, Institutional Research, Campus Events, and Student/Cultural Programming.
She earned her AA in Pre-Business Administration, a multidisciplinary Bachelor’s of Liberal Arts Degree in Communication & Journalism, Management, and Organizational Learning & Instruction Science, before completing her master’s degree in Public Administration with a focus in Non-Profit Management.
Bringas is committed to serving the greatest good of the community is involved with several community organizations. In addition to Taos MainStreet, she serves on the boards of the Taos Entrepreneurial Network (TEN), Taos Feeds Taos, the Taos Community Foundations Women Give collaborative, and the Enchanted Circle Community Organizations Active in Disaster (EC COAD). Previously, Anita served on the Taos Fiesta Council, the national Alliance of HSI Educators (AHSIE) Council, and was deployed with the American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Team to Hattiesburg, MS in 2005.
She feels fortunate to live in Taos, New Mexico for the last fifteen years, where she stays with mother in the house that her grandparents built in the 1930’s.
Juniper Leherissey, Treasurer
juniperleherissey@gmail.com
Juniper Leherissey is a non-profit management professional with 26 years of experience in arts and environmental organizations. Focusing on fundraising and executive management, she has helped organizations raise millions of dollars and implemented large-scale, mission driven programs that take these institutions to a new level.
Juniper has dedicated her professional life to the non-profit world and has worked in almost all aspects of non-profit operations. She has held professional positions in fundraising and management since 2004, with experience at Carnegie Museum, Henry Art Gallery in Seattle, the first Development Director for the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market, helping to complete the Harwood Museum’s $6.3M capital campaign, leading the community-driven master planning for the Taos Land Trusts’ Rio Fernando Park, and most recently as the Executive Director of the Harwood Museum of Art.
Juniper holds a Masters in Arts Management from the Carnegie Mellon Heinz School of Public Policy and Management, and a BA in Anthropology from Reed College. She serves on the Board of the New Mexico Humanities Council, STEMarts Lab, and the MAE Private Foundation.
“Growing up in Peñasco and Taos has given me a unique perspective on the challenges of our multi-cultural and rural communities. I returned to my home town two decades ago interested in learning how to build a better future for the people in this amazing place.”
Doug Patterson, Member
dpatterson@ldg-arch.com
Cherylin Atcitty, Member
Cherylin Atcitty is the owner of Atcitty’s on Taos Plaza, a gallery located in the historic district of Taos, NM. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Science Degree from Oklahoma Panhandle State University and Master of Science Degree from West Texas A&M in tribal environmental management. Her experience includes project management, strategic planning, quality assurance, and small business and financial development.
Sydney Swinehart, Member
Sydney Swinehart is a born and raised Taoseña. She has a BA in Accounting from the University of New Mexico, Anderson School of Management. Sydney has been a Certified Public Accountant since fall of 2019. She is co-owner of Swinehart CPA, a female ran business in Taos, NM. Sydney is striving to help the community in any way she can. She also loves going on outdoor adventures with her dog, Fenrir. When asked if Sydney wants green or red chile, she says Christmas!
Karina Armijo, Ex Officio
aarmijo@taosgov.com
Karina Armijo is the Marketing Director for the Town of Taos. She serves as the liaison between Taos MainStreet and our government partner, the Town of Taos.
Staff
