Chase Jaques-Maynes, Chair
Hey there! My name is Chase. I serve as First Vice Chair of the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County, and I am preparing to graduate with my bachelor’s in Political Science at the University of New Mexico. I also race ultramarathons for fun. In addition to these roles, I have the unique privilege of leading the Environmental Justice Caucus as Chair.
Climate justice is, and has always been, very important to me as I’ve seen communities struggling with the burdens of dirty air, water, and food. The climate crisis is also a massive problem, one that requires politicians to act courageously in rethinking New Mexico’s energy economy. I also believe that political action is the best way to nurture the change we want to see in the world.
I was motivated to take on the role of Chair because I have the ability to bring fresh ideas into the caucus, as well as usher in a new generation of leadership. Diversity makes us stronger, and youth participation— a critical dimension of diversity— is essential for building a resilient, forward-thinking Democratic Party. Young voices bring energy and innovation to the table, yet they’ve been underrepresented for too long.
As Chair, I am excited to share my passion for environmental justice and politics with others, particularly in engaging other young people in the political process. To all the caucus members, I sincerely look forward to working with you to create a better, brighter future for all.
Vice Chair
Vacant
Secretary, Emmy Serna
G Roger McNew, Treasurer
I have volunteered my services for treasurer duties for over 20 years at non-profit organizations in Albuquerque as well as my current duties as the Treasurer for the DPNM Environmental Justice Caucus. Having recently retired from the position as Systems Administrator for IT at a local museum here in Albuquerque, I have found many opportunities to lend my technical skills to the Democratic Party and other non-profits.
Zlata Nourie, CD-1 Chair
I love nature. I have been living here in Albuquerque, New Mexico for more than 10 years. I finished my first MA in Ukraine and my second BA and MA here at UNM. I took multiple classes and did a lot of research on environment in my undergraduate and graduate studies. My Master’s thesis focuses on decision making between land conservation or housing development in urban areas. Currently, I serve on different Committees in a couple of local and national nonprofits. I support environmental justice, equal access to a healthy environment, clean air and water, ecosystems preservation, sustainable resources use, and science. I am very happy to be a part of our unique and resilient community. I look forward to serving as a CD-1 Chair and helping our communities grow and prosper.
CD-2 Chair
CD-3 Chair
Muriel Carpenter, Officer At Large
Muriel has had many different careers and volunteer callings. She grew up in a post-WWII suburban community on Long Island, New York, entering the world at the beginning of the baby boom. She shared her home with her mom, dad, two brothers, a sister and a beagle named Baron. From her first day in a community pre-school, she loved learning and to this day takes classes at UNM, cherishing the connections this gives her with young people.
She graduated with a BA in Education from the State University College at Oswego, NY and a master’s in education from Boston University and began her working life as a 5th grade teacher. Her undergraduate economics professor told her that she should consider becoming an economist, but at the time, she couldn’t envision that type of job for a woman.
Eight years later (how times changed), she entered law school at Northeastern in Boston, earning her JD in 1980 and beginning her 20-year career as a civil litigator at a well-known Boston firm. She then moved from Boston to rural New Hampshire where she became a case manager in a children’s mental health clinic. She continued social work for incarcerated women after moving to Albuquerque and then taught English at CNM.
She has spent many hours training non-profit groups and serving on non-profit boards. She is committed to progressive politics, believing in the power of human groups to do good.