Who we are
Coffee + Creatives
is a community-oriented working group based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The goal is to help creatives take the next step for their practice or business by providing access to resources, funding opportunities, jobs, gigs, and feedback by creatives for creatives. You can find us via our very active Facebook Group. The every other week in-person meetup is paused through December 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but we are hosting an online version, more details in the group as well.
Meet The Team
The community lead team is comprised of Madalena, Ayanna, Joe, Zach, Ruth, Jaycee, and Andy. Through an every other week in-person meet-up, and via Facebook group, email newsletter, Twitter, and Instagram, we connect artists and creators of all types with the resources to take their practice to the next level.
Ayanna Nelson-Freeman is an all around Creator and lover of all forms of Art, and owns multiple brands, including the skin care company LEELA’S BODY COCKTAILS. Ayanna thrives on improving her quality of life as well as others by opening thoughts, ideas, and possibilities by her own example. As an entrepreneur who is female, minority, and a single mom, she knows intimately the challenges creatives of all backgrounds experience, and is passionate about sharing her knowledge and perspective. You can find her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Ruth Cisneros is a bilingual editor, writer, and photographer with background in linguistics and over a decade of experience in content distribution. Her passions include supporting local businesses and creative endeavors, raising money for her son’s marching band, and hanging out with her two cats. She’s been writing poems about love for over twenty years and studied humor in college. The easiest way to reach her is on Twitter or Instagram where she goes by the handle @senoritaruth.
Zach Leyba is a digital marketing professional based out of Albuquerque for the last 5 years. Currently, he works with UNM as a Web Designer and Social Media Specialist, formerly he served as Meow Wolf’s Social Media Manager, and has previously provided digital marketing expertise and design for the Rio Grande Jewelry Supply.
Madalena Salazar is a creative focused on issues of cultural equity with extensive experience as a nonprofit administrator, DEI consultant, educator/facilitator, organizer, and cultural producer. Currently, she serves as the Executive Director for Working Classroom, the Principal of 3rd Space Vision LLC, and as a community lead for Coffee + Creatives in Albuquerque. She values engaging creatively as one’s whole self, collaboratively, and intersectionally across generations, in relationship. Madalena was born, raised, and resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico (after returning from several impactful years in Denver, CO). She loves music, cooking (and eating), nature, traveling, reading, gardening, and the healing arts. Madalena received a B.A. in Anthropology, and an M.A. in Art History from the University of New Mexico. Madalena is most proud of being a mother, and spends her remaining time with her children, husband, and her extended and chosen family.
Joe Cardillo is a marketer, communications professional, and strategist with a decade of experience leading teams in marketing/brand content, journalism, media relations, analytics, SEO, and online platforms operations within tech, startups, and media companies. Joe is also a co-founder of Coffee + Creatives. You can stay in touch with Joe on Twitter, and learn more at: www.ecosystemsandentrepreneurs.com
Andy Wolber is a technology consultant for nonprofits, providing assessment and strategy around internet connectivity, devices, applications, and organizational data practices. Andy also publishes regularly via TechRepublic as a writer covering Google in the enterprise, along with mobile, cloud, and related technology topics. You can stay in touch with Andy on Twitter, and learn more about his work at: www.wolberworks.com