Staff - Crossroads for Women

Crossroads Program Director
Celeste Estrada

Community Support Worker
Patricia Sedillo

Family Specialist
Mackenzee Donham-Stradling

Community Engagement Specialist
Emily Cronin

Senior Certified Peer Support Specialist
Jen Angel

Community Support Worker
Daniel Gutierrez

Community Support Worker
Alyssa Fontaine

Certified Peer Support Worker
Trish Martinez

Community Support Worker
Chasity DeSimone

Executive Director

Bernice Varela

Bernice has been living in Albuquerque for just about ten years. She possesses a degree in Criminal Justice, as well as a Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work, she is certified in Forensic Psychology, and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Bernice believes that being able to be a part of a community that supports and advocates for women while empowering them to find their own voices is powerful. In her free time, she is often at the gym, spending time in nature, watching sports, or reading.

Crossroads Program Director

Celeste Estrada

Celeste is a born and raised New Mexican from Albuquerque. She is a graduate of the Maya’s Place and The Crossroads programs. Celeste became a staff member in 2019 and obtained her peer support specialist certification. Celeste gets excited to see the progress Crossroads community members make every single day. She says her son is her life today thanks to Crossroads helping her find her voice and teaching her she’s not alone. In her free time, Celeste enjoys playing sports, watching movies, taking her dogs to the dog park, and playing video games.

Senior Case Manager

Melissa Lucero

Melissa has lived in Los Lunas, NM her entire life. Growing up in a small community she faced many challenges in life. Melissa has seen many friends and family struggle with addiction. She is passionate about giving back to her community. In her spare time, Melissa enjoys spending time with her family, going on vacation, and training her bird, Nugget.

Community Support Worker

Patricia Sedillo

Pat is an Albuquerque native. She is a Certified Peer Support Worker and also has a CCSS and GED. In the years that Pat has worked for Crossroads, she has seen the change in the women that Crossroads provides services for. She is happy to be a part of their growth and success, which has brought her great pride to work for the organization. In her free time, she enjoys being outside in nature and spending time with her family. Pat has two sons and a daughter, four grandsons, one granddaughter, and a chihuahua named Corky, who is ten years old!

Vocational Specialist

Lecia McHargue

Lecia was born and raised in New Mexico and has always called Albuquerque home. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Mexico in 2018 and joined the Crossroads team in 2020. Lecia is an active member in the local recovery community and is passionate about helping people achieve their goals.

Senior Case Manager

Lydia Valenzuela

Lydia was born and raised in New Mexico. She has an associate degree in integrated studies from CNM. Lydia loves working at Crossroads and seeing how empowered women can be when they make positive change in their lives. In her free time, she enjoys caring for her two dogs and cat, reading, and spending time with her family, especially her adorable son.

Family Specialist

Mackenzee Donham-Stradling

Mackenzee is originally from the lovely Land of Enchantment and graduated from Sandia Prep. She went on to obtain a bachelor’s degree in theatre studies from Chapman University in Orange, CA and is currently finishing an associate degree in human services from CNM. Mackenzee discovered a deep ardor for empowering and advocating for the incarcerated population and those trying to go through recovery while working on her senior thesis. She has many hobbies and interests, including but not limited to: theatre performance, dance, piano, gardening, reading, watching films and great television, D&D, camping, and traveling. Her household consists of her wonderful husband, darling dog, and three sweet cats.

Office & Billing Manager

Asheli Fierro

Growing up in Albuquerque, Asheli knew she wanted to find a job that gave her purpose and inspire her to do better everyday. She believes that everyone deserves a second chance and kindness. Asheli has a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing. She is currently getting her MBA in healthcare administration at UNM. In her free time, Asheli enjoys going to the gym.

Community Engagement Specialist

Emily Cronin

Originally from Alfred, New York, Emily was brought to Crossroads because she felt a need to work with people who are survivors of trauma and oppression. Emily comes from the poorest county in New York state and saw how poverty and a lack of resources can lead to addiction and then incarceration. She believes that Crossroads is the only organization in the country that is actively looking to holistically treat systemic issues and change the lives, hearts, and minds of all members of our community from policy makers to people on the street. Emily has a bachelors degree in public health with a concentration in drug and alcohol counseling. In her free time, she likes to go on hikes with her 3 year old rescue pup, Buffy. She also likes to hang out with friends, make big meals together, play games, and roller skate. Currently, her special interests include urban farming and foraging, water sustainability, and women and gender studies.

Senior Certified Peer Support Specialist

Jen Angel

Jen is originally from Los Lunas, NM. She is a graduate of Maya’s Place and loves what Crossroads does to help women. She has successfully reached her goal of always wanting to work for Crossroads. She will be obtaining her CPSW in October of 2022. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family and likes doing art projects. She also loves her cats and dog!

Community Support Worker

Jenny Peixotto

Jenny has lived in Albuquerque her whole life and believes the New Mexico community needs more support. She has always wanted to do more to help and now at Crossroads, she can. Jenny has her Real Estate License with the state of New Mexico and in her time away from Crossroads, she enjoys helping people find their dream home. Jenny is married, and a mother of four children. She also has a sweet Shih Tzu puppy named Raliegh. In her free time, she likes to garden, travel, visit her family cabin in Jemez, and spend quality time with her family.

Community Support Worker

Daniel Gutierrez

Daniel was born and raised in Albuquerque with strong family roots in the communities and the story of Central and Northern New Mexico. Daniel has long had a desire to work for the good of others and his experiences has forged a deep desire to use his skills in aiding those that are dejected, destitute, or otherwise experiencing dehumanization. Being new to the behavioral health field, he felt that Crossroads is ideal and unique in its mission to hold up the dignity of the women Crossroads serves. Daniel feels the work done at Crossroads is both effective and always authentically compassionate. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and a Masters of Divinity, hoping to one day pursue graduate work in counseling. In his free time, Daniel enjoys reading and hiking. He loves to travel when possible to experience new cultures and cuisine, and the occasional museum. He relishes quality time with his dear friends and partner.

Peer Support Specialist

Malisa West

Born in Lansing, Michigan, Malisa grew up in Albuquerque. A previous client of Crossroads, Malisa saw how the resources helped her and she wanted to be able to provide the same experiences for other women in need. She believes in the Crossroads community because it has helped her personally and she has met other women in the community that have been assisted in numerous ways. Malisa possesses multiple certificates in Culinary Arts, Professional Baking, HACCP, and Food Service Management. In her free time, she likes to make Dia De Los Muertos inspired jewelry and rosaries. Malisa has a 7-year son who makes her incredibly proud of his achievements. She also has two kittens named Cloudy and Sunny.

Intake Coordinator

Thelma Martinez

Bio Coming Soon!

Clinical Director

Maggie Camp

Bio Coming soon!

Community Support Worker

Alyssa Fontaine

Bio Coming Soon!

Certified Peer Support Worker

Trish Martinez

Bio Coming Soon!

Pathways Navigator

Devin Franklin

Bio Coming Soon!

Community Support Worker

Chasity DeSimone

Bio Coming Soon!

Receptionist

Yessenia Cardenas

Bio Coming Soon!