NMOST Staff

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May Sagbakken

Executive Director​

May Sagbakken has been the Executive Director for NMOST since 2016, and is a passionate advocate for access to quality out-of-school programs for all children and youth in New Mexico. 

May has more than 25 years’ experience as a director for local and international organizations. May has extensive experience in community collaboration and strategies for implementing community projects for change. This includes planning and implementing the Safe Schools Healthy Students Initiative in APS focused on prevention of violence and substance abuse, and a successful YouthBuild program in Albuquerque. 

May has a dual Master’s in Community and Regional Planning/Latin American studies from the University of New Mexico, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and International Studies from the University of Oregon.

May has lived in New Mexico since 1991, and is a proud mother of three children. She is a Certified Reflexologist, Blue belt Nia Instructor, and an Advanced Trainer in the Nurtured Heart Approach.

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Amanda Lujan

Capacity Building Director

Amanda joined NMOST as Capacity Building Director in January 2026, where she supports the Executive Director and strengthens NMOST’s programs and initiatives. Her work focuses on the OST Leadership Institute and the development of new training opportunities that build capacity across the out-of-school time field.
 
Amanda is a New Mexico native who has experience in education, youth development, nonprofit management, and local government. She has a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of New Mexico and a Bachelor’s in History with a minor in Elementary Education from Vassar College. As a resident of rural New Mexico, she is passionate about bringing opportunities to communities across the state, even to the smallest villages. She has provided museum programs across the state, administered summer camps, organized large events, developed community partnerships, facilitated strategic learning and professional development workshops, and managed capital projects.  She hopes to support out-of-school time programs in building capacity to provide programs and services to their families, creating awareness and opportunities for the future.
Amanda volunteers with Torrance County Fair Heritage Association and the Torreon Mutual Domestic Water Association. She grew up and still lives in the Manzano Mountains and enjoys revisiting every acre of the family ranch and spending time with her horses. and occasionally the cows.
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Ian Gates

Special Projects Coordinator

Ian joined NMOST as the Special Projects Coordinator in May 2024. In this role, Ian supports NMOST’s efforts in Youth Entrepreneurship, Service Learning, Advocacy and Communications. 

Ian grew up in Atlanta, went to college just outside DC and worked at the Out of School Time intermediary in Tulsa before moving to New Mexico! In previous positions, Ian has worked on campaigns, made political ads, lobbied, and led Out of School Time advocacy efforts in Tulsa!

When Ian’s not at work you can catch him traveling, listening to podcasts, attending local public meetings and spending time in the great outdoors! 

NMOST Board of Directors

The New Mexico Out-of-School Time Network (NMOST) Board of Directors is comprised of representatives of key stakeholder organizations who share the vision of NMOST.

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Lisa Guida

National Museum of Nuclear Science & History

Lisa currently serves as the Director of Education at the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, the states only Smithsonian Affiliated museum in New Mexico. Lisa is responsible for developing and implementing high-quality, outcome-oriented educational programs for New Mexico youth, educators, and families. These programs are a core function of the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History and presently serve 5,000 + participants each year. The museum’s education programs reach every district in the state, and develops programs that enable New Mexico educators and parents to meet state standards and embrace the best practices in informal science and history education. Lisa has over ten years of experience in seeking opportunities to develop new models and approaches to education, reach new and diverse audiences, and raise the profile of the museum.

Lisa earned her B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of New Mexico, M.Ed. in Special Education Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University-Portland, and is completing the Doctor of Education in Transformational Organizational Leadership and K-12 Leadership at Trident University-California. Lisa has worked as a classroom educator at the elementary and middle levels and has served as a program support teacher conducting academic assessments.

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Erika Acosta

NMSU Mathematically Connected Communities

Erika J. Acosta, MA.Ed (ejacosta@nmsu.edu) is a PK-12 STEM Instructional Outreach Specialist at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, NM. As a former middle school math and science teacher, she worked in a border district with unique language and cultural needs for 11 years. She is currently a Curriculum & Instruction doctoral student, with a concentration on Education and Design with Learning Technologies, and is passionate about making STEM accessible to all students, including underrepresented students, by embracing their diversity and personal experiences. She is also working towards a graduate certificate in Borderland and Ethnic Studies. Her work at NMSU’s STEM Outreach and Mathematically Connected Communities (MC²) includes supporting 21st century afterschool programs that enrich children’s lives, and developing and promoting opportunities that increase students’ interest in STEM and career exploration through experience-based activities, mentorships, and development of pathways.

Erika comes from a large Mexican American family, including her own blended family with her husband Jaime, her seven kids, eleven grandkids, three dogs, and three cats. She loves music, including singing, dancing, and playing a couple of instruments. She also loves traveling, cooking, and classic films.

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Sandra Day

Paso del Norte Health Foundation

Sandra is the dedicated spouse of a first responder and veteran, a mother of four, and an accomplished public health professional committed to positive change. Since August 2021, shortly after returning to her hometown of El Paso, TX, she’s been serving as a Program Officer at the Paso del Norte Health Foundation, leading initiatives in out-of-school time and mental health and emotional well-being. She manages a grantee portfolio of over $4.5 million annually, guiding programs that prevent disease and promote health across the Paso del Norte Region, encompassing three states and two nations. She holds a Master of Public Health and a Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion from the University of Texas at El Paso, and she is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). Her professional career has spanned non-profits and the local and federal government, with expertise in research, intervention, and program evaluation. Sandra has worked on various public health issues, including mental health, youth development, infectious diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, alcohol prevention among youth, and HIV and STI prevention, among others. Her life has been shaped by her unique experiences as a former military spouse.

Sandra has navigated the challenges of frequent relocations and spouse deployments with resilience, consistently redefining her path and embracing her identity as a dynamic and resourceful individual, spouse, mom, and professional. Her dedication to public health extends beyond the professional role, embodying a personal commitment to empowering communities with the knowledge and skills to develop long-term healthier lifestyles free of chronic diseases.

April Christensen

Kids Can Youth Entrepreneur Program

Kids Can Founder and Community Action Agency’s Program Director,  April Christensen, is a part-time entrepreneur and full-time wife and mother to three wonderful children, almost grown. Originally from Northern California, April was raised in a family that owned and operated a small business that rented heavy equipment and special event supplies. During her childhood, April developed her skills in time management, organization and customer service and became an office manager by the age of 16. Before settling in New Mexico, April received a double Bachelor of Business in accounting and finance from Southern Utah University in 2003.

Her passion for her children and experiences in small business is what led her to create Kids Can, Youth Entrepreneur Program. She serves youth 6-17 throughout the Southern part of New Mexico. She believes that these budding small enterprises help lead the rising generation to success by encouraging creativity, empowering minds, building skills for self-reliance, and fostering confidence in themselves and their community. It also keep resources local and help build stronger economies.