UNM Rainforest Innovations

Vice Chair, UNM Rainforest Innovations Board of Directors
President & CEO, Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce

Education

Institute for Organizational Management, San Jose State University
UNM
New Mexico State University

Business/Research Background

Recognized nationally for her leadership and business acumen, Ms. Cole became President & CEO of the Greater Albuquerque Area Chamber of Commerce in 1983 after joining its staff in 1978. In 1988 she became one of only 250 Certified Chamber Executives in the nation. Under her presidency, the Chamber has grown to be the largest business organization in New Mexico and is regarded nationally as a model for chambers of commerce. In 1991 she served as Chair of the Stanford University Institute of Organization Management and, in 1995, was the first female chairperson of the American Chamber of Commerce Executive Association.

Particular Knowledge and Skills

During former Governor Richardson’s administration, Ms. Cole served as Chair of the New Mexico Workforce Development Board and served on the Governor’s Higher Education Committee and the Governor’s Citizens Task Force for Healthcare Reform. She is also the President of the Foundation for Open Government, has been appointed by Mayor Richard Berry to his Economic Development Advisory Council, and is the President-Elect of the New Mexico Chamber of Commerce Executives Association. Nationally, she was appointed some years ago to the US Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100 and serves, as a former chair, as an advisor to the American Chamber of Commerce Executives Association. The New Mexico Business Journal has named Ms. Cole one of the 10 most influential business people in the State. She’s also the recipient of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom Award.

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