ALBUQUERQUE —Amber Wallin, who has been with New Mexico Voices for Children since 2012, has been promoted to deputy director of the child advocacy organization. She will be serving directly under the executive director James Jimenez and helping to oversee the group’s research, analysis, and advocacy work.

“Amber is known around here colloquially as a ‘rock star,’” said Jimenez. “Whether she’s presenting at a conference or testifying before a legislative committee, she exudes extraordinary energy, passion and warmth. We’ve always felt very fortunate to have her, so it’s a real pleasure to mentor her on her professional journey.”

Wallin was brought onto the NM Voices team as a fellow from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities in their State Priorities Partnership program. After her two-year fellowship, she was hired on as a research and policy analyst. Among the projects she oversaw was an in-depth health impact assessment on reinstating the food tax. She was promoted to director of the group’s “Kids Count” program in 2015. As deputy director she will oversee the “Kids Count” program. Her promotion begins in 2018.

“It’s such a pleasure and honor to do work that you really believe in and that makes a real difference,” Wallin said. “I’m also fortunate to work with an incredible staff of very talented and dedicated individuals. Voices has always felt like home to me.”

Prior to joining NM Voices, Wallin served as a budget analyst for the city of Las Cruces. She earned her masters of public administration from New Mexico State University. She is a native New Mexican from the mountain area east of Albuquerque. She is married and has two small children.

New Mexico Voices for Children is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization advocating for policies to improve the health and well-being of New Mexico’s children, families and communities.