NMOST Staff
May Sagbakken
Executive Director
May Sagbakken has been the Executive Director for NMOST for seven years, and is a passionate advocate for equitable 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 focusing on women’s rights, violence prevention, and positive youth development. Her most recent position includes working as the Executive Director for the Rape Crisis Center of Central New Mexico.
She has also worked as a Special Advisor on Women Worker’s Rights at the International Labor Organization in Geneva. 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.
Jeff McConaughy
Director of Communications & STEM Initiatives
Jeff joined NMOST as STEM Coordinator in early 2018. In addition to promoting and supporting STEM programs in out-of-school time in the state, Jeff manages the NMOST web site and much of the social media and other communications from the organization.
Jeff retired from Intel in the summer of 2016 after almost 30 years in IT and IT Management in the semiconductor industry. He participated in an Intel sponsored Encore Fellowship program, which matches recent retirees with non-profits to work 1000 hours on projects in support of organizational goals. Jeff worked with Explora for his fellowship, and a portion of his time was dedicated to assisting NMOST.
Jeff has lived in New Mexico for most of his life (he’s not telling how many years, but it’s a LOT.) He enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter (either in DC where she now lives or when she’s home for a visit), and experiencing all our state has to offer.
Sarah Pratt
Director of Operations
Sarah joined NMOST as Associate Director in September of 2022. As NMOST transitioned to a 501(c)3 non-profit in 2023, her job title was changed to Director of Operations. Sarah oversees many of the network’s day-to-day operations, while also managing or supporting network initiatives.
Sarah is an Albuquerque native who has experience in STEM, STEM education, project management, and higher education. She has a Master’s in Management and Leadership from Western Governors University and a Bachelor’s in Chemistry from the University of New Mexico. After realizing her interest in STEM during a high school internship, she became passionate about getting and keeping New Mexico students, especially girls, interested in STEM through hands-on learning experiences. She has taught summer camps and other programs for students from 3rd grade through high school, planned and facilitated adult events, mentored undergraduates, facilitated professional development workshops, and presented at multiple national conferences. She aims to meet children and adults where they are and connect to their interests to cultivate curiosity and a passion for lifelong learning.
Sarah volunteers as a Judge Chair for the Regional Science Fair and serves on the Board of the Autism Society of New Mexico. In her spare time, she enjoys reading (both fiction and nonfiction), listening to podcasts, and hanging out with her dogs.
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.
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.
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.
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.