Marshall Martinez - He | Him
Chief Liberation Officer
Marshall is an organizer, and has been a political strategist for multiple candidates and organizations; from fighting climate change with the League of Conservation Voters to working for fair pay and safe working conditions with AFSCME-the public employees labor union. All personal fights because, like all of us, he has lived a multi-issue life.
Born and raised in Alamogordo, New Mexico, to a working-class family and a group of particularly strong women (and a few great men, too!) in High School he worked to educate young people about safer sex. Marshall’s policy expertise focuses on Gender and Sexuality, Bodily Autonomy, and Reproductive and Sexual Healthcare. Marshall also prides himself on his skillset for navigating attacks against our values, in ways that build power for the communities being attacked rather than just winning the short-term fight. Marshall strongly believes in the African Proverb “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together."
Nathan Saavedra - he | him
Director of Policy & People
Nathan has been with EQNM for the past two years, beginning in his junior year of college at the University of New Mexico, where he graduated in 2024 with a bachelors in political science and intercultural communications. He was born in Albuquerque, NM and raised in Belen, NM, a town which ingrained into him the strength and value of community, along with the desire to advocate for a more equal and empathetic society.
While not working, Nathan enjoys a consistent search for new hobbies until the "right one" is found or a collection of "right ones". So far including reading, painting, and spending time in the community.
*Please contact for all Policy inquires.
E: nathan@eqnm.org
Rudy Montoya - He | Him
Director of Influence, Experience, & Culture
Rudy is a seasoned graphic designer and Brand and Marketing Manager with over 15 years of experience. Currently working for a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing political change for LGBTQ individuals, he is passionate about using design to amplify voices and foster community empowerment. Raised in New Mexico, he has collaborated with various non-profits to create positive change for underserved communities. With a strong commitment to advocacy and creativity, Rudy strives to make a meaningful impact through effective branding and strategic marketing.
*Please contact for all media inquiries.
E: media@eqnm.org
C: 505.977.8772 (Media Inquiries Only)
Michelle Najera - she | her
Internal Liberation Senior Strategist
Michelle Najera is a Latina born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She is currently pursuing a degree in Biology with hopes of becoming a Physician Assistant. Michelle's passion for the medical field stems from her desire to help others, a value instilled in her from a young age.
Growing up in a close-knit Mexican family, Michelle loves spending time with her close friends and relatives. When she's not studying or working, she finds joy in hobbies such as dance, going to the gym, reading, painting, and playing the electric guitar. Michelle’s desire to give a voice to her community is why she loves to work with EQNM!
Hazel Valente-Compton - She | Her
Community Engagement Strategist
Hazel is a Trans Woman who dedicated her teenage years to advocating for the LGBTQ+ community at her school. She founded the school's GSA and conducted seminars for teachers and staff on effectively supporting LGBTQ+ students. Her commitment to organizing and community activism ignited a profound passion for driving change.
Currently studying Political Science at CNM, Hazel aspires to enter policy work to safeguard LGBTQ+ rights. Alongside her academic pursuits, she is an artist dedicated to creating empowering and uplifting art for both LGBTQ+ and plus-sized individuals. Her enthusiasm for public speaking and law fuels her desire to contribute to EQNM's mission of protecting the LGBTQ+ community and amplifying its voices.
Layla Garcia
Narrative & Voice Strategist
Layla is a born and raised New Mexican, who lives in Las Cruces with her partner and their animals. She is currently an undergrad student at NMSU, majoring in Justice, Political Philosophy, and Law. She discovered her interest and skill in journalism while in high school, winning state and national awards. She loves her role at EQNM because it allows her to merge her knack for media with her passion for advocacy work. In her free-time she enjoys reading, yoga, listening to music from her constantly-growing vinyl collection, and spending time with friends and family.
Sorraya Wright - She | Her
Community Engagement Strategist
Sorraya was raised in Arizona and currently attends UNM, majoring in Intercultural Communications and minoring in Sociology. She often participated in community clubs and sports throughout her early teens. Being raised as a lower class, Black woman, she often saw disparities between her counterparts and herself. She also experienced many barriers regarding financial and mental support. Finding a love for writing, she set out to study the inequalities of the world, with hopes to spread awareness and produce a world of equity.
In her free time, Sorraya loves to take her dogs on walks, try new places around New Mexico, indulge in film, and often plays video games or watches gameplays.
Morgan O’Donnell - She | Her
Development and Engagement Strategist
Morgan holds an interdisciplinary master’s degree with a focus on Women’s Studies and spent over 15 years in higher education where she guided graduate students from application to graduation. During that time, she also taught various courses and workshops and later was responsible for university graduate recruitment across three campuses. After leaving higher education, Morgan took what she learned to help small nonprofits and businesses with marketing, fundraising, board recruitment, and more. She enjoys a variety of activities including reading fiction (she almost did a thesis on Frank Herbert’s Dune), creative writing, and art. More recently, Morgan has been exploring the roles art, spirituality, and nature play in building and maintaining resiliency.