Gerald Peters, President
Renowned authority on 19th and early 20th century American art and owner of the 44,000 square foot Gerald Peters Gallery in Santa Fe, Mr. Peters is the founder of the Heart Gallery of New Mexico Foundation and a founding member of the Santa Fe Art Foundation. He was co-chairman of the Governor's Commission on Higher Education, has served on the Federal Reserve Small Business Advisory Board, the New Mexico Board of Finance and is chairman of Century Financial Services. He is the controlling shareholder of Century Bank and has been a board member in good standing at St. John's College, Santa Fe Prep, The Millicent Rogers Museum, the Wheelwright Museum and the Bank of Santa Fe.

Marjori Krebs, Vice President
An Assistant Professor in the College of Eduction at UNM, Ms. Krebs also serves on the United Way's Women In Philanthropy board of directors and is the Honorary Chair of the Coaches versus Cancer Gala. 

Angela R. Romero, Treasurer
Angela Romero is a resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she owns an employee benefits brokerage for the last 19 years and one other small business that was started in 2017. She graduated from the University of New Mexico with both a BA in Mass Communications and a Master’s in Business Administration.  Angela has called New Mexico home since the age of 3 when the family moved here.  She spent 4 years living in CA only to return home to Albuquerque, NM. She has two sons of her own, ages 17 and 12 and is passionate about empowering New Mexico youth after being on her own at a young age.

Laura Sanchez, Secretary

Laura is an attorney at the Rodey Law Firm where brings a wealth of legal expertise along with a diverse background beyond her twenty years in the legal field and more than twenty-five years of expertise in government and legislative affairs. She has extensive experience identifying public policy priorities and developing impactful programs while engaging with key stakeholders. Originally from Deming, New Mexico, Laura currently resides in Albuquerque and has been a regular panelist on the television program New Mexico In Focus on New Mexico PBS. Laura earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and a Masters in Public Administration, both from the University of Arizona. She earned her law degree at UCLA School of Law.

Jeffrey Branch, member
Native New Mexican and commercial real estate developer Jeffrey Branch owns Columbus Capital Corporation, a brokerage, asset management and leasing firm, and Branch Design and Development, a design, planning, construction management and development company. In addition to his role on the Heart Gallery of New Mexico Foundation, Jeffrey has previously served as President of the Santa Fe Commercial Council, the Santa Fe Metropolitan Redevelopment Commission and on the City of Santa Fe Historic Design Review Board. With his wife, Michelle, he co-founded the the Adoption Means Love Foundation which is now part of Heart Gallery of New Mexico Foundation.

Sue Darnell, member
Sue Darnell is a retired x-ray technician whose career spanned 30 years.  She worked most of that time in the Children’s Hospital in Denver Colorado. Sue and her husband Ron have a passion for helping children and adopted their youngest daughter. Sue has lived in Albuquerque since 2008.  

Laurie Williams, member

Laurie A. Williams is Senior Vice President of Integrated Planning and Transmission Development at Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM), where she brings extensive expertise in utility planning, transmission development, regulatory strategy, and energy policy. With more than three decades of experience in the electric utility industry, Laurie has led the development of long-term utility plans that support reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy solutions for customers and communities across New Mexico. Laurie earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the New Mexico State University and an MBA from the University of New Mexico. She throughout her career, she has played a key role in advancing major infrastructure investment in New Mexico, integrating significant new renewable energy resources onto the grid, and supporting policies that advance economic development for New Mexico.

Originally from New Mexico, Laurie currently resides in Albuquerque with her husband Greg and is the proud mother of three adult children. She has a passion for advocating for both economic opportunity in the state and making a positive a difference in the lives of New Mexico’s youth.

Michelle Madrid-Branch, member
Author ("The Tummy Mummy," "Adoption Means Love: Triumph of the Heart") and former television news journalist Michelle Madrid-Branch was the founder of New Mexico's The AML (Adoption Means Love) Foundation which recently merged with Heart Gallery of New Mexico Foundation.

Sherman McCorkle, member
Mr. McCorkle has been the Chairman and CEO of Sandia Science and Technology Park Development Corporation since 1998, served as Vice-Chair of Sandia Corporation's Investment Committee from 1994 until 2011 and served as President and CEO of Technology Ventures Corporation from 1993 until 2011. He was Co-founder of New Mexico Bank and Trust, a Co-Founder of First State Bank Corporation and was a Senior Vice President at Albuquerque National Bank from 1976 to 1988.

Kurstin Johnson, member
Kurstin Johnson is a native New Mexican.  She grew up in the North Valley of Albuquerque, graduating from Valley High School and then from UNM with a degree in Journalism.  For the last 24 years she has owned and operated Vista Encantada Realtors, LLC, a boutique real estate firm with 17 associates.  She has served on many Boards and Committees. As an adopted child herself, Kurstin has a passion for helping children thrive and brings that perspective with her to our Board.  

Kelly Lawrence, member

A native Of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Kelly Lawrence is a proud graduate of New Mexico State University, where she earned both a  Bachelor's degree in Accountancy and a Bachelor's degree in Finance. She has been happily married to her husband, Rocky, for 34 years, and together they have raised two wonderful children. Kelly enjoys spending time in Bible study, staying active through exercise, traveling, and relaxing with her beloved bulldog, Romeo. She has a deep passion for children who have experienced life without the stability of the loving family and carries a strong desire to support and uplift them. Kelly has been honored to serve with the heart Gallery of New Mexico and feels truly blessed to give her time and heart whenever possible, grateful for every opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children who deserve love, encouragement, and hope.

Kathleen T. Ross, member
After four decades in Arlington Virginia, Kathie and her husband Doug chose New Mexico as their new home.  Having always loved the Land of Enchantment, they are immersing themselves in their new community.  They began supporting the Heart Gallery of New Mexico shortly after arriving in 2021 and Kathie is thrilled to join the board.

Kathie brings many years of executive experience in federal, corporate, non-profit organizations as well as public/private partnerships. With a PhD in Organizational Behavior and Development from The George Washington University, she is an expert in organizational design, growth strategies and leadership development.  She also brings years of governance experience with community and non-profit boards.  Kathie is humbled to be among the extraordinary Heart Gallery board members and is committed to the mission of supporting young people throughout their journey in the foster care system.