Annie Sanchez

Culture Strategist | Initiative Refiner | Community Builder
New Mexico | anniesanchez.co/contact

Multidisciplinary leader with 20+ years of experience translating vision into action.

As an equity-centered founder, strategist and leadership coach, I’ve advised executives, built operational systems from the ground up, and led large-scale programs end-to-end across the private, nonprofit and wellness sectors.

Known for clear thinking, compassionate leadership and getting things done — I bring strong judgment, heart and a bias toward action. I thrive in ambiguous, complex situations while navigating growth, transitions and competing priorities with calm, care and structure.

I’m seeking two roles: (1) a contract strategic partnership and community development role; and (2) a volunteer board role in the arts.

SKILLS & STRENGTHS

  • Strategy & Growth: Strategic partnerships, growth strategy, client management, vision-to-roadmap

  • Cross-Functional Leadership: Collaboration across design, comms, tech and operations

  • Operations: System building, process improvement, budget oversight, complexity management

  • Equity & Inclusion: DEI-focused program design, culturally responsive leadership

  • Communication: Compelling storytelling, precision writing, facilitation, influence

  • Relationship Building: High-trust partnerships, stakeholder engagement, consensus-building

ENDORSEMENTS

“I value and trust your reasoning and logic. I always felt like I could own my work and come to you when I needed help.”

~ Former Boss, Senior Leader in Philanthropy

“‘Organized, strong project management, strong communications both verbal and written,’ — you see these things in job descriptions, but you are less than a handful of people I’ve seen who actually possess them. I'd trust anything with my name on it to you. I’d trust you to pop into my job, even over people on staff doing it for years.”

~ Former Direct Report, Manager in Government

“Annie is in a category all her own. Both smart and wise, with deep empathy and a knack for getting right to the heart of the matter. She has this uncommon ability to really listen and hear...even what's unspoken.”

~ Coaching Client, COO & Entrepreneur

EXPERIENCE

Professional

CEO & Lead Strategist
Mariposa Strategies | 2018–Present
Remote / National Client Base

  • Scaled a coaching and consulting practice from the ground up, growing revenue by 150–200% annually and advising 200+ founders, executive directors and emerging leaders.

  • Lead a diverse portfolio of cross-sector clients, delivering equity-centered, people-focused strategies to strengthen operations, improve team dynamics and balance growth.

  • Provide coaching and advisory support to leaders in the corporate, small business, social justice, arts and philanthropy sectors on operational and performance improvement, employee relations, performance management and organizational development.

  • Maintain 94% client satisfaction rate through customized strategic advising on organizational vision and purpose, change management and team realignment.

  • Design and facilitate 100+ retreats, strategic interventions and organizational assessments focused on leadership development, employee wellbeing, team dynamics, conflict resolution and strategic planning.

  • Facilitate leadership program serving members across 6 timezones and 2 countries.

  • Manage all brand and marketing efforts, reaching audiences in the hundreds of thousands across multiple channels.

  • Develop original product lines and curriculums, with end-to-end ownership of the process.

  • Cultivate strategic collaborations with consultants nationwide to deepen client outcomes.

  • Built tech-enabled, fully remote business with systems like Asana, Zapier, Converkit, Google Suite, Figma and Zoom, which streamlined client onboarding, delivery and reporting.

Event Producer
Contract | 2004–2019
New York City, California and New Mexico

  • Produced high-impact events in the corporate, philanthropy and social impact sectors (up to 500 guests).

  • Directed employees and volunteer teams for clients.

  • Handled end-to-end logistics, creative direction, vendor, talent and volunteer management. 

  • Collaborated with stakeholders to align vision, manage budgets and deliver events that exceed expectations.

Business Advisor & Project Manager
Contract | 2018–2019
New Mexico

  • Led cross-sector, multi-stakeholder strategic planning initiatives centering equity and inclusion for a community-centered City of Albuquerque economic development initiative.

  • Drove day-to-day operations of a civic innovation hub serving public-private partnerships.

  • Provided operational guidance to small businesses in historically excluded communities.

Executive Director
Center for Nonprofit Excellence, United Way of Central New Mexico | 2016–2018
New Mexico

  • Oversaw development of the first equity, diversity and inclusion-focused training program in the state.

  • Led creation of New Mexico’s Nonprofit Principles & Practices Guide, collaborated with 50+ cross-sector experts; received endorsements from the Governor, Attorney General and Secretary of State.

  • Provided capacity-building advisory services to nonprofit leaders, including governance, advocacy and human resources best practices.

  • Catalyzed strategic merger, presenting unified value to stakeholders statewide

  • Managed a cross-functional team of nine; developed onboarding, off boarding, training and accountability protocols; implemented operational systems including OKRs and 300+ SOPs.

  • Developed strong analytical and research skills to support organizational excellence.

Co-Founder & Operations Director
Giving Tuesday New Mexico | 2015-2018
New Mexico

  • Co-created statewide initiative aligned with the global Giving Tuesday movement.

  • Coached organizations statewide on marketing and communication best practices. 

  • Led PR and media campaigns, including tv, radio, billboard, newspaper and social media.

  • Directed design and launch of centralized platform that enabled nonprofits statewide to participate, resulting in 200%+ increase in organizational participation.

  • Mobilized outreach efforts across New Mexico, leading to a 300% increase in community engagement while expanding visibility for nonprofit partners.

Earlier Roles

  • Communications Manager | Center for Nonprofit Excellence, United Way of Central New Mexico | 2015–2016: Drove significant web traffic growth through DEI-focused communication strategies while building meaningful community partnerships that would serve the organization for years to come.

  • Office Manager | Junior League of Albuquerque | 2012-2014: Built internal systems and SOPs that helped streamline operations and support organizational growth.

  • Hospitality Leader & Consultant | Union Square Hospitality, Myriad Restaurant Group and others | 1998–2012: Managed front of house operations and staff, while maintaining exceptional standards of service under pressure, and cultivating team and guest loyalty.

Education & Credentials

  • BFA in Art Studio (in progress) | University of New Mexico

  • Certificate in Fundraising | NYU Heyman Center for Philanthropy & Fundraising

  • Certified Business Advisor | GrowthWheel (SBA-aligned tools and frameworks)

  • Leadership Coach | Altitude (executive and personal leadership coaching) 

  • Yoga Nidra Teacher | Empowered Life Circle (mindfulness and resilience facilitation tools)

Volunteer Leadership

  • Advisory Board, Building Movement Project, 2016-2018

  • Event Producer, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, 2012-2013

  • Chair, Fundraising Committee, Planned Parenthood NYC, 2007-2012

  • Market Liaison, GrowNYC (Union Square Farmers Market), 2006-2008