Board Members
Casa Q's diverse Board of Directors bring expertise in developing and managing services for LGBTQ youth, including housing, education, health and support services.
Mark Hartman
Board Chair
Mark Hartman is a native New Mexican and graduate of UNM’s Anderson School of Management. He began his career in educational publishing working for Prentice Hall Publishing. He founded Hartman Publishing in 1994, focusing on educating frontline healthcare workers who serve the elderly. With thousands of training program customers operating in all 50 states, Hartman’s books have helped prepare over two million direct-care providers. Mark is the father of two amazing sons. He is active in supporting local programs that provide experience in the arts for all children, improve access to higher education, promote entrepreneurship, and work toward social justice including LGBTQ issues.
Andrew Gans, MPH
Immediate Past Board Chair
Andrew Gans has worked in public health for almost 30 years. He is the HIV, STD and Hepatitis Section Manager for the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH). Andrew previously worked as an independent consultant to over 25 non-profit organizations that deliver health programs, social services and educational services in New Mexico and California. Andrew has served on several non-profit Boards for organizations serving the Jewish and LGBT communities. He and his husband Ronnie Chavez have been together for almost 20 years, were married in New York in 2011, and have plenty of parenting practice with more than 30 nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Beckham Angelo Rivera
Vice Chair
Beckham Angelo Rivera is a family lawyer and LGBTQ advocate in Albuquerque, NM. Beckham has worked with groups across the country advocating for the rights and protections of LGBTQ communities. He joins Casa Q to uplift and empower LGBTQ youth in New Mexico.
Chris LeFleur
Board Treasurer
Chris LaFleur is a fire protection engineer at Sandia National Laboratories where she analyzes fire risks for emerging technologies. She serves as the Chair of the Sandia Pride Alliance Network which is the employee resource group for LGBTQ employees and allies. She has been involved in workplace equality advocacy since 2002 because she believes the right to work is integral to the pursuit of happiness. Chris has a BS in engineering from the University of Rochester, an MS in engineering from the University of Maryland, and a Doctorate in engineering from the University of Michigan. Chris and her wife Mary have lived in Albuquerque since 2010 and have two grown children, Derek and Sara. Chris is a percussionist with Encantado, the LGBTQ community band, and a woodworker who enjoys making lots of sawdust.
Steven Nadolny
Board Secretary
Steven Nadolny was born and raised in Albuquerque. He has a B.S. in Psychology from Wayland Baptist University, and a M.Ed. in Educational Psychology from Texas Tech University. After 18 years of residing out of state, he got homesick and returned to Albuquerque in 2000. Steven is a Licensed Psychological Associate in Texas, and a licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor in New Mexico. He has spent most of his professional career as a Behavior Therapist/Behavior Support Consultant working with people with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities. In 2008, he and a fellow counselor opened Great Livin’ LLC – a Supported Living Agency for people on the NM I/DD Medicaid Waiver program. He retired from Great Livin’ in 2017, but continues to work as a Behavior Support Consultant.
Cristy J. Carbon-Gaul
Founding Board Member
Cristy J. Carbon-Gaul is an estate planning lawyer in Albuquerque. She practiced with a big firm for 13 years and opened her own firm 2 ½ years ago. Cristy attended Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, where she graduated with her B. S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting. Cristy graduated from Creighton University School of Law. Cristy and her husband Dan have two children, two dogs, three cats, chickens, ducks and turkeys. In Cristy's spare time, she coaches her son’s soccer team and actively participates on a number of non-profit boards. She is past president of several Boards in New Mexico, including the Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) Foundation, Southwest Women’s Law Center and New Mexico Women’s Bar.
Cynthia Chavers, LMSW
Founding Board Member
Cynthia Chavers has been a Social Worker with the State of New Mexico for 17 years. She currently provides Quality Assurance oversight to the Children, Youth, and Families Department’s (CYFD) Children's Protective Services Division. Cynthia is considered an expert in child welfare and has specialized in Family Drug Court, the Indian Child Welfare Act, Immigration issues that impact children in foster care, and youth transitioning from foster care into adulthood. Her background also includes clinical experience providing family, group, individual and couples therapy. Cynthia participates in several boards and committees, including the Board of Common Bond, the oldest support system for LGBTQ youth in the state.
Jon Drury
Jon Drury, Senior Account Executive at Cumulus Media, has spent 25 years in the Albuquerque media community. Jon has been in love with New Mexico’s unique and dynamic culture since moving here in 1977. He attended St. Pius (the old school on Louisiana) and UNM. After serving on numerous boards, including The American Heart Association and the UNM Lobo Club, Jon is glad to focus on Casa Q and the Anderson School of Management’s Alumni Council, as both are important to move our state forward. Jon and his husband Christopher have been together for 12 years and have two great and super spoiled pups, Brian, a Border Collie, and Parsifal, a Bassett Hound.
Cristen Conley
Cristen Conley received her JD from Baylor University School of Law and has been an attorney since 1988. She is a strong advocate for minorities and children with nation-wide certification as a Child Welfare Law Specialist from the National Association of Counsel for Children. She is a senior attorney for the UNM Corinne Wolfe Center for Child and Family Justice, training attorneys, judges, and others in child and family welfare law. Under a W.K. Kellogg grant, Cristen works to address racial and social inequities affecting the health of children. She also works with Wild Friends to educate school children about civics through wildlife oriented legislative projects. Cristen is married to her best friend, Mike Anderson, who encourages her constant knitting and takes her on epic road trips with their giant schnoodle, Lily.
John Blair
John Blair is the New Mexico Deputy Secretary of State. Prior to this, John served in the Obama Administration as the Director of Intergovernmental & External Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Interior, and as the Legislative & Communications Director for then-U.S. Representative Martin Heinrich. John was born in Albuquerque and grew up in Santa Fe. He graduated from the University of Kansas with a B.A. in Communications Studies and Political Science, and received his Juris Doctorate from the University of New Mexico (UNM) School of Law. John and his husband, Billy, live in Santa Fe with their dog, C.J. Cregg. John is a Kansas basketball fanatic, political junkie and a Broadway show tunes aficionado.
Kalynn Jaramillo
Kalynn is a native New Mexican who recently returned to New Mexico after a four year hiatus in Oregon for her undergraduate degree. She graduated from The University of Oregon with a degree in psychology and a minor in music. During her time in Oregon she worked with the UO TeachOUT. TeachOUT is an annual summit on gender identity and sexual orientation issues in education, led by the Education Suites Department at UO. This program hosts many community events including the Pink Prom, a dance for queer youth and allies; it also acts as a community resource for LGBTQ+ youth, allies, educators, and families in the Willamette Valley. Kalynn is currently working as a Case Manager for the NM Developmental Disability Waiver. She is currently owned by her dog, and two birds. In her spare time she crews for a local balloon club.
Catherine Begaye
