OUR TEAM

Laurie Vigil is the Executive Director of HEART of Saguache. Laurie has stewarded the organization since 2016. Laurie has lived in the San Luis Valley for the majority of her life and has raised her family here.

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Lorraine Lopez has been a part of HEART of Saguache since 2016. She was born and raised in Saguache and her family has lived in the County since it's founding. Lorraine is a retired educator and an activist that tirelessly advocates for her community.

Paula Lujan began teaching in Saguache in 1979. She has been a facilitator and a grant writer in the community for four decades. She is now a retired educator and is passionate about family and advocacy. Paula has been a part of HEART of Saguache since its founding.

Kathy Hill is a retired educator and administrator who has lived in Saguache for 37 years. She is deeply invested in supporting San Luis Valley children. Kathy graduated from the Community Leaders in Health Equity program in 2019.

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Belinda Garcia is an artist and activist living in Crestone. Belinda was born in Denver and is a descendant of a San Luis family. She is a Corn Mother and a founder of Sisters of Color United for Education and Esceula Aztlan. Photo by Todd Pierson.

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Shirley Romero Otero is an educator and organizer from San Luis. She has served on the Land Rights Council and The Acequia Institute Board of Directors. She is Director of the Move Mountains youth project, and a HEYA coordinator. Photo by Todd Pierson.

Shawn Vigil is an educator at Mountain Valley School. He was born and raised in Saguache, and is a coordinator of HEYA.