Our 2026 Board

Rio Grande Down Syndrome Network is composed of a board to help guide its mission. If you would like to be part of the board or board meetings, please email info@rgdsn.org or call/text 505-382-5061.

David Rogers

President

David and partner Rosie have been RGDSN members since Milagros Coco was born in 2007. Their family includes four brilliant, beautiful, bilingual daughters, and granddaughter Audrey Sage to rule them all!

David is a lifelong education leader and founding member of Dual Language Education of New Mexico. David advocates for culturally and linguistically diverse communities and those marginalized. He has served as e U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in South America a bilingual special educator in South Bronx, NY, and a dual language teacher, program coordinator, and school principal in Albuquerque’s South Valley.

As a Board Member, David hopes to help develop leadership and human resources that will support an expanding and thriving RGDSN Community.

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Brigitte Candelaria

Vice President

As a mother to 7-year-old son Bodhi, who happens to have Down syndrome and hearing loss, Brigitte is deeply committed to advocating for inclusion, accessibility, and meaningful support for individuals with Down syndrome and their families.

With a background in early intervention, she brings both professional expertise and lived experience. She is especially passionate about early childhood development, feeding challenges, language, and ensuring families have access to the resources they need to thrive.

As a board member, Brigitte is dedicated to promoting inclusion, strengthening advocacy efforts, and fostering collaboration between families, professionals, and community organizations.She believes in the power of strong networks to drive meaningful change, and is committed to expanding RGDSN’s reach through education, awareness, and community partnerships.

Michelle Mares

Treasurer

Angie Molinar

Secretary

Angie Molinar is currently serving her 2nd year as an RGDSN Board Member. She has worked on the Buddy Walk planning committee for the past three years, and has coordinated our School Aged Play Group for two years. She truly enjoys serving our RGDSN family.

Born and raised in Denver, Before moving to New Mexico, she called Las Vegas, NV home for 12 years. She is a loving wife and mother of three boys, ages 13- with a beautiful extra chromosome, 11, and 9. She spends most of her free time at kids’ soccer, TaeKwonDo, and Special Olympics practices. She has a passion for acceptance, inclusion, and diversity.

Emily Moody

Board Member

Angela Padilla

Board Member

RGDSN Staff

Billy Thiebaut

Director of Programs and Events

Since April of 2016, Billy has been helping to coordinate programs for RGDSN. In 2022, he moved into his role as Director of Programs and Events, spearheading programming and event logistics for RGDSN’s year-round work. He is an educator and coach in Albuquerque Public Schools. Billy has three children. Hope, his youngest is with Down syndrome.

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Jaimie Martin

Interim Director of Operations

Jaimie most previously served as Secretary of the Board and is currently serving as Chair of the Buddy Walk for a fourth year. She is the mother of 18-year-old Connor and 17-year-old Riley, who has Down syndrome. With extensive leadership experience in both for-profit and non-profit sectors—including healthcare, utilities, and federal government contracting—Jaimie brings a strong background in strategic operations, project management, and organizational development to the Board. She is deeply passionate about her work with the Rio Grande Down Syndrome Network and is dedicated to advocating for individuals with Down syndrome, fostering inclusion, and empowering families within the community.

Laurie Magovern

Interim Director of Programming and Partnerships

Laurie has volunteered and worked with RGDSN since 2011, including serving as a past Board President. Currently, Laurie leads year-long programming for RGDSN such as the performing Lucky Few Dance Crew and the family literacy and art storytimes. Professionally, Laurie has served as Executive Director for nonprofits and is an Event Planner, Program Developer and Educator. Laurie loves to teach public speaking, yoga and meditation. Laurie has 3 children, her youngest daughter Hope has Down syndrome. She has been awarded Excellence in Leadership by RGDSN.

Donyelle Lucero

Interim Director of Communications and Engagement

Donyelle previously served as President of the Board for RGDSN 2021-2026. She has previously served as the Committee Chair for RGDSN’s Buddy Walk and Denim & Diamonds Gala and has been involved with marketing efforts since 2016. She is the mother of 6-year-old Charli and 11-year-old Nicholas who has Down syndrome and inspired her to become involved in advocacy efforts within the Down syndrome community.

Advocacy Committee

Executive Committee

Fundraising Committee

Buddy Walk Committee

Parent Care Committee

Our parent care committee connects families with a prenatal diagnosis, diagnosis at birth and relocating families to the area to our Network. If you are interested in joining the Parent Care Committee, please contact info@rgdsn.org.

Our Network