Renee Villarreal
Courtesy Photo
Las Vegas, N.M. – Santa Fe Councilwoman Renee Villarreal will talk at Highlands University about leadership March 2 in honor of Women’s History Month.
The free conversation and lunch with Villarreal will be from 12 – 1 p.m. in the university’s Student Center, Room 322, 800 National Ave.
“My talk will center around what it means to be a woman leader within the historic and contemporary context of New Mexico,” Villarreal said. “There will also be a discussion about the current political climate in our country and the need for greater advocacy for women and girls.”
Villarreal said she’s very interested to learn from the audience about their leadership experience as well as ideas for community advocacy.
“Renee Villarreal is an an inspirational and compassionate public servant,” said Kimberly Blea, Highlands University’s dean of students. “It’s exciting to have a Chicana role model like Renee speak at Highlands.”
Blea said it’s important to celebrate Women’s History Month to recognize the accomplishments of women in both the public sphere as well as personal daily life.
Villarreal was elected to the Santa Fe City Council in March 2016 and represents District 1. Before that, she served on the Santa Fe Planning Commission.
Villarreal’s work centers upon public service and community advocacy. She is the director of programs and community outreach for New Mexico Community Foundation, a statewide philanthropic nonprofit based in Santa Fe.
She earned her master’s degree in community and regional planning from the University of New Mexico, with a focus on rural community development. Earlier in her career, Villarreal was a community planner for Santa Fe County.
Villarreal is a multigenerational New Mexico native who grew up in Santa Fe.
To RSVP for the Villarreal conversation and lunch email deanofstudents@nmhu.edu