Vanessa Mobley Knox has dedicated herself to empowering families and young people through her work with Borderland Family Ties, and her mentorship of the very talented Julieta is a shining example. Known for building genuine, lasting connections, Vanessa remembers every family’s name, story, and challenges. Through programs like STEM Girl Day at UT Austin, she helped Julieta find confidence, leading to a district science fair win—and a heartfelt moment when Julieta told her, “You inspire me, Ms. Vanessa.”
Beyond mentoring students, Vanessa uplifts parents through workshops that leave families feeling hopeful and supported. In less than three years, she’s built an organization rooted in compassion and empowerment, serving as a role model, leader, and true inspiration for the next generation.
Kayla’s mentorship of Camila at the New America School of Las Cruces been about more than offering advice—it’s been about helping her find her voice and recognize her strength. When they met, Camila was shy and hesitant to speak up, but Kayla created a space for her to grow at her own pace. With encouragement, Camila secured an internship with Las Cruces Creatives, discovering her passion for helping others and her dream of becoming a psychiatrist.
In the classroom, Kayla pushed Camila and her peers to tackle community issues like immigration and racism, organizing a public conversation and connecting with NM CAFe for advocacy work. Now preparing to graduate, Camila moves forward with confidence and a strong foundation, inspired by the belief Kayla consistently showed her.
Though their time together has been short, Diana has made a lasting impact on her mentee, Hannah. As an intern at the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico (CFSNM), Hannah found in Diana not just a supervisor, but a thoughtful mentor who cared about her growth and well-being. Through regular check-ins and genuine support, Diana created an environment where Hannah felt confident, grounded, and empowered to take on new challenges.
In just a few months, Diana’s guidance has given Hannah tools she’ll carry into the future, from career advice to personal encouragement. Inspired by Diana’s passion for her work and community, Hannah now envisions the kind of professional—and person—she hopes to become.
In their photo set, they both honor their original mentors, their mothers.
Melody was one of Natalie’s students during her first year teaching at Doña Ana Community College, and it didn’t take long for Natalie to see something special in her. When Melody asked her to be a mentor, Natalie eagerly agreed, helping her develop an artistic voice, build a portfolio, and launch a website. Their mentorship soon grew into a deeper connection as they navigated the challenges of a male-dominated film industry together.
Today, they are collaborators and peers, trading ideas and advice. For Natalie, mentoring Melody has been a full-circle experience, reminding her of the strong women who shaped her own path. Their journey shows that true mentorship is about growing together and lifting each other up.
Emilia’s mentorship of Galen has centered on encouraging independence while offering thoughtful guidance at the museums for the City of Las Cruces. From the start, Emilia recognized Galen’s passion for history, art, and filmmaking, giving her space and support to turn her ideas into creative projects for the museum. Together, they launched new initiatives like social media posts that explore collections through a unique historical lens.
When a museum opportunity arose to organize historical photographs, Emilia connected Galen with the right team, knowing her enthusiasm and background in history would make her successful. Beyond projects, Emilia fosters a safe, inclusive environment where Galen—autistic, introverted, queer, and neurodivergent—feels fully herself. Their mentorship has evolved into a rewarding, meaningful relationship for both.
Tina Ballew, Creative Director/Producer
Anna Kat Hollis, Assistant Director/Designer/Web Developer
Chantelle Yazzie-Martin, Featured Photographer
McKenzie Yazzie-Martin, Assistant Photographer
Aaron Walterscheid, Videographer
Ryan Robson, BTS photographer
Jenna Dunlap, Production Assistant
Blanca Martinez, Production Assistant/Web Developer
Sommer Mitchell, Success Partnership/Producer
Candace Cichuniec, Success Partnership/Producer