About Us
At Equity in Policy Institute, we believe equitable policies begin with people. From city halls to classrooms to grassroots tables, we train leaders who are ready to change how policy is made — and for whom it is made.
About Lisa Cacari Stone
Lisa Cacari Stone, PhD, MS, MA, is a Professor Emerita (University of New Mexico, College of Population Health) and Santa Fe County Commissioner for District 2. She is a nationally recognized leader in advancing health and social equity, with decades of experience in participatory evaluation, research, training, strategic planning, facilitation, policy development, and public service.
Over her career, Lisa has:
- Secured more than $35 million in federal and foundation grants to support community-driven research and programs.
- Trained and mentored early-career scholars and teams from diverse intersectional groups.
- Published numerous peer-reviewed articles, policy briefs, and public reports on health equity and social justice.
- Served as a policy consultant and fellow for local, state and federal governments.
What I Do
- Research & Evaluation: Designing and leading community-engaged projects on health equity, behavioral health, and policy interventions.
- Policy & Advocacy: Translating community knowledge into legislative and policy reforms at local, state, and national levels.
- Leadership Training & Coaching: Through initiatives such as the Equity in Policy Institute, Lisa provides technical assistance, facilitation, and mentorship for organizations and leaders seeking to strengthen equity-centered governance.
- Community Engagement: Partnering with grassroots groups, governments, immigrant communities, and rural leaders to co-create sustainable solutions.
Our Team
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Lisa Cacari Stone
Lisa Cacari Stone, PhD, is Professor of Health & Social Policy at the College of Population Health, University of New Mexico.
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Roberto Chene
Roberto Chene holds a BA in Philosophy, an MA in Pastoral Theology, and has done postgraduate work in Social Welfare Policy at Brandeis University.
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Dana Fields-Johnson
Dana joined the Prevention Institute staff in September 2016 and works in the Health Equity and Violence Prevention focus areas.
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Sean Haley
Sean J. Haley, PhD, MPH is an Associate Professor of Public Health at the the University of New York’s Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy.
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Hazel James
Hazel James is Diné adzaan, an Earth, Air, and Water Protector, a matriarch, her maternal clan is Zuni Edgewater People
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Veronica Krupnick
Veronica Krupnick is a local Indigenous Advocate for young people who have been impacted by the child welfare system, especially from tribal communities.
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Mariko Lockhart
Professor of Practice, Evans School of Public Policy and Governance, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
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Sheila Savannah
Sheila Savannah has over thirty years of experience in multisector collaboration and youth/family engagement to address wellness, safety, and equity
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La’Quana Williams
La’Quana Williams, MPH, is a Program Manager at Prevention Institute’s Los Angeles (Leimert Park) office whose work focuses on the intersection of health equity and racial justice.
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Jaelyn deMaría
Jaelyn deMaría is a Chicana multimedia story producer, with more than 20 years experience serving communities in New Mexico as a journalist.
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Elroy Keetso
Elroy Keetso is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation (Nihoobáanii clan, born for the Tsé Nahabiłnii clan) from Counselor, NM.
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Magdalena Avila
Magdalena Avila, Dr PH., is Emeritus, Associate Professor in Health Education, the Department of Health, Exercise and Sports Science at the University of New Mexico.
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Rhonda BeLue
Rhonda BeLue, PhD, is an esteemed Associate Dean for Community Engagement and Partnerships and a Professor of Public Health.