Board of Directors

 

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Tommie Bedford, President

Tommie has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics from Prairie View A & M University, Prairie View, Texas. She is a widow with two children and four grandchildren. She was a Substitute Teacher in Albuquerque Public School for three years and a Home Economics / Culinary Arts Teacher at Albuquerque Job Corps for nine years. Currently involved in Church and Grandchildren’s activities, she loves to travel, sew, quilt, and make crafts. Tommie is currently the nursery coordinator and newcomer welcome baskets overseer at her church and a volunteer instructor at TenderLove.

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Nina Martinez, Vice President, Treasurer

Experienced Inside Sales Representative with a demonstrated history of working in the information technology and services industry. Skilled in Managed Services, Enterprise Software, Partner Management, Storage, and Customer Relationship Management (CRM). Strong sales professional with a Bachelor of Science focused in Psychology from The University of New Mexico. She is Hispanic American.

 

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Jules Flores, Secretary

Jules obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre and Dance with an Emphasis in Drama Education from the University of New Mexico and a Certificate in Film Tech from the Central New Mexico Community College. She completed her Master of Education in Higher Education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

She has worked in Higher Education for five years, supporting first-generation and minority students. Currently, she works at Central New Mexico Community College, where she works closely with students. Her past experiences include leadership development and inclusion programming for college students and Student Affairs professionals.

Jules values service and strives to make a difference in her community. She served as the professional development chair for the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas (HWNT) El Paso Chapter and on the LGBTQ+ Round Table with the El Paso Community Foundation.

Jules has volunteered for Tenderlove since 2014, when she assisted with the planning and coordinating of our first fashion show, and recently served on the planning committee for our first ever Virtual Gala.

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P E N D I N G

Melissa Jabour has spent the last 10 years providing individualized Geriatric Care Management and Disability Advocacy services. Prior to that she worked as contractor for the Department of Energy where she excelled as a Facility Security Officer (FSO), Financial Analyst, and Executive Assistant. She possesses a BA in Psychology with a minor in Communication from The University of New Mexico. Melissa uses her detail oriented, inquisitive, and analytical skills to learn and improve on existing systems. As a child, she experienced bouts of homelessness and sought a better life for her future. She is impressed with TenderLove’s remarkable success rate and wants to expand program outreach.

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Diane Gibson, Advisor

Diane Gibson has lived in New Mexico since the mid-1970s, first in Santa Fe and then later in Albuquerque where she has made her home. She retired from Sandia National Laboratory in 2008 where she began her career as a prototype machinist. At that time, she was only the third woman hired into the apprenticeship program. The eleven years before retiring, Diane worked as an Environment, Safety, and Health coordinator ensuring a safe, environmentally responsible workplace for employees.

Over the past many years Diane has volunteered for policy- and advocacy-driven organizations, including as a coordinator for Planned Parenthood, a builder for Habitat for Humanity, and an ombudsman for New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services. Working with helping organizations has greatly enriched her life.

Diane lives in the Jerry Cline Park neighborhood with her exuberant pittie, Rocky. She is in her second term as an Albuquerque City Councilor and is honored to serve the constituents of District 7 near Northeast Heights.

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Honorary Board

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Adesola Adedokun, MD
Dr. Adedokun is one of the three founders of TenderLove, giving generous spiritual and financial support. Specializing in Family Medicine, he attended Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife Nigeria obtaining an M.B.Ch.B. (M.D.) degree in 2004. He currently studying to be certified in the U.S.

 

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Diana Lewis