MRC Appointment_Danika Padilla_Redacted

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To: Governing Body
From: Carly Venditti, Metropolitan Redevelopment, Deputy Director
CC: Andrea Phillips, Deputy City Manager
Brian Moya, Interim City Manager
Date: August 21, 2026
RE: Appointment of Metropolitan Redevelopment Commissioner, Danika Padilla
ITEM AND ISSUE:
The Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency respectfully requests the appointment of Danika
Padilla to the Metropolitan Redevelopment Commission, as an individual with expertise in
the public, private and non-profit sectors with over 15 years, her career has been curated by
service to and for the community. As the current Assistant Director for Regional Community
Development’s Noth Central Economic Development District, Danika Padilla’s experience
will add support to the Metropolitan Redevelopment Commission as it continues to pursue
public private partnerships. (Carly Venditti, Asset Development Manager,
cavenditti@santafenm.gov).
ACTION: Appointment of Danika Padilla to the Metropolitan Redevelopment Commission
for a term of five years.
Attachments:
1. Danika Padilla, Resume

Danika Padilla
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Experienced public affairs professional, with community development, economic development and extensive stakeholder
engagement experience. 15+ years of experience building and leading coalitions across New Mexico, including direct
experience in planning, community development and advocacy. Skilled in communications and strategic planning, with
strong programmatic and fiscal oversight of complex muti-state projects.
Creative problem solver, painter, and avid hiker. Lover of spicy food, good books and long walks.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Regional Community Development
Assistant Director May 2026 - Present
North Central Economic Development District Santa Fe, New Mexico
● Support regional economic development strategies that strengthen local economies, and align
community priorities with long-term growth.
● Work with local governments, elected officials, public agencies, community partners, and private-sector
stakeholders to advance projects led by northern New Mexico communities.
● Translate broad economic development goals into actionable programs, partnerships, and
implementation strategies.
● Support public-facing communication and relationship-building efforts that help diverse partners
understand shared goals and project priorities.
Vice President, State Initiatives December 2026 - May 2026
Education At Work Santa Fe, New Mexico
● Led statewide programming for national education non-profit focused on expanding access to
work-based learning and workforce development strategies.
● Established relationships with diverse stakeholders and led local stakeholder engagement with elected
officials, community leaders, business associations.
● Led statewide communication strategy to engage stakeholders through formal media campaigns.
Vice President, Social Impact & Sustainability April 2018 - April 2024
Meow Wolf, INC Santa Fe, New Mexico
● Established and scaled company approach to social impact and environmental responsibility (CSR/ESG)
for a multistate arts and entertainment company with $50M+ annual revenue, 1200+ employees and 5
exhibitions in operation.
● Managed and mentored 12 employees in five states; New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado, Texas and
California, including performance reviews and coaching.
● Managed department budget of $2.5 M annually; including regular budget forecasting and reporting.
● Led third party compliance reporting for B Corp Certification of 200+ ESG metrics; increased Meow
Wolf’s B Corp Score by 37% in 2022; used established impact framework.
● Invested more than $5M in grant funding in local communities; developed and administered corporate
giving and grantmaking programs focused on serving diverse stakeholders.
● Served as primary liaison between company and community members, led and grew relationships based
on mutual benefit and trust with strategic community members and key elected officials.
Public Affairs Experience
Strategic Advisor January 2025 - Present
Self Employed Santa Fe, New Mexico
● Advise clients on public affairs and organizational development, including nonprofits, elected officials, and
mission-driven companies. Facilitate multi-party conversations to resolve concerns and keep projects moving.
● Design campaigns and stakeholder engagement plans that center target communities to build durable support for
causes such as environmental justice, arts, and economic initiatives.

Santa Fe, New Mexico
● Clients included Education at Work, New Mexico Sustainable Business, Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver
and Attorney General Raul Torrez.
New Mexico State Director July - November 2024
Kamala Harris for President Santa Fe, New Mexico
● Led statewide campaign for the Harris/Walz Presidential campaign to win 5 electoral votes..
● Built and managed a statewide coalition of advocacy organizations, tribal leaders, elected officials, labor unions,
and community leaders, including daily stakeholder management.
● Directed statewide campaign operations, communications, volunteer management, and media strategy.
● Negotiated complex stakeholder relationships to advance campaign goals.
Managing Director February 2017 - March 2018
Rio Strategies, LLC Albuquerque, New Mexico
● Led day to day operations for a public affairs firm, working with more than 20 public, private and non-profit clients
on a variety of fundraising, strategic communications and public engagement initiatives, including direct
management of 20+ employees and office operations.
● Implemented standard operating procedures; including client management, document control, fundraising
procedures and project management.
● Managed and mentored 20+ employees, with onboarding, evaluations and served as human resources.
Finance Operations Manager, South Central Region March 2014 - November 2016
Hillary for America, Presidential Campaign Austin, Texas
● Served on the national fundraising team for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign. Executed 200+ high
profile events for Secretary Clinton, President Clinton, and campaign surrogates.
● Raised over $41 million to Hillary for America, Hillary Victory Fund, and Action Fund from major donors in Arkansas,
Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.
● Cultivated major donor gifts up to $25,000 from individual donors.
● Directly managed 2 employees, and 50+ major donors across the region.
● Planned, managed and executed over 200 high profile fundraising events across 5 states working with hundreds of
vendors, secret service and on impossible timelines.
Fundraising and Impact Consultant 2010 - 2014
Self-Employed Washington, DC & Seattle, WA & Albuquerque, NM
Extensive experience in public affairs, fundraising, communications, social impact and advocacy through political campaigns, 501c3
nonprofit engagement, and direct government advocacy in Washington, DC, for projects and clients including:
NM Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver
NM Attorney General Raul Torrez
Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller
Albuquerque Public Schools
Office of Representative Jay Inslee
Office of Senator Maria Cantwell
Washington Conservation Action
Washington Conservation Voters
EDUCATION B.S. in Urban Planning & Environmental Science, Emphasis in Public Policy
Washington State University
MBA from University of New Mexico anticipated December 2027
LEADERSHIP AWARDS SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Santa Fe Community College Foundation,
Vice President, Former Secretary & Board
of Directors, 2018-Present
Meow Wolf Foundation, Secretary &
Board of Directors, 2022-2024
Emerge New Mexico, Former President &
Board of Directors, 2018-2022
Woman of Influence,
Albuquerque Business First, 2021
Fast Company, Most Innovative
Companies, Most Influential Companies
for Social Impact, Meow Wolf, 2020
”Stimulating the Creative Economy” -
New Mexico Creative Industries Week,
2024
”Art of Impact” - Rainbow Rainbow
Opening Celebration, 2023
”Sustainability in Themed Entertainment”
- Greenloop Conference, 2023