Founded in 1975, the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce is one of New Mexico's most influential business institutions and among the largest Hispanic chambers in the United States. The Chamber serves approximately 1,200 members (60% Hispanic-owned, 40% non-Hispanic-owned), operates with annual revenue near $3.9 million and a staff of approximately 25, and delivers impact through six integrated platforms: Membership and Business Development, Convention & Tourism (a 40+ year DMO co-branded with VISIT ABQ), the Hispano Chamber Foundation 501(c)(3), International Trade, Small Business Education (BEOC), and Advocacy & Public Policy.
The Chamber's 22,000 sq ft campus at 1309 Fourth Street SW serves as a unique business empowerment platform, co-located with strategic federal and state partners including the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service, the New Mexico APEX Accelerator, the New Mexico Small Business Development Center, and the Barelas Community Coalition. Few organizations offer this concentration of trade, procurement, advisory, and community development resources under one roof.
Position Summary
Following a successful era of leadership, the next President/CEO will lead the Chamber into its next era of relevance and impact. The Board's vision: grow and diversify revenue, expand influence, modernize operations, strengthen member value, and extend the Chamber's reach across the region and internationally, while preserving the culture and identity that have made the Chamber trusted for 50+ years.
Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the President/CEO provides strategic, financial, operational, and cultural leadership for the Chamber and serves as its primary representative across business, civic, government, and community sectors. The President/CEO leads a senior team that includes the Chief Experience Officer, the Chief Financial Officer (a long-tenured leader transitioning into retirement in August 2026), and Directors of Membership, Business Development, Marketing, Convention & Tourism, and Programs. The CFO transition creates an early opportunity for the incoming President/CEO to shape future financial leadership and align senior talent to a multi-year vision from Day 1.
This is a career-capstone role, not a stepping stone. The Board is seeking a leader whose career trajectory and personal commitments are aligned with sustained, multi-year leadership of the Chamber and a deep, durable commitment to the State of New Mexico.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Executive Presence & Community Credibility. Serve as the primary public face of the Chamber across business, civic, cultural, philanthropic, and government communities; cultivate trusted senior-level relationships; represent the Chamber at high-profile events, in the media, and on public stages.
Political & Stakeholder Navigation. Lead advocacy and public policy strategy; build bipartisan relationships with elected officials and agency leaders at the city, county, state, and federal levels; serve as the principal voice on policy matters affecting Hispano-owned and New Mexico businesses.
Growth & Member Value Translation. Drive member recruitment, engagement, retention, and growth for ~1,200 active members; ensure a quantifiable value proposition; oversee programs and signature events. Provide executive oversight of the Convention & Tourism division co-branded with VISIT ABQ, including signature events such as Festival Flamenco, Mariachi Spectacular, the Albuquerque Super Show, and Great Minds in STEM.
Revenue & Sustainable Business Model Leadership. Carry full accountability for financial health and long-term sustainability; develop and manage the ~$3.9M annual operating budget; lead diversified revenue strategy across membership, sponsorship, grants, contracts, and philanthropy. Oversee the Hispano Chamber Foundation 501(c)(3), including the Education Excellence Scholarship program (~100 students annually) and the Albuquerque Community Foundation Endowment Fund.
New Mexico Cultural Competence. Lead in a way that authentically reflects the Chamber's mission, culture of familia, and connection to the Hispanic business community; ensure programs, communications, and external engagement reflect the cultural identity and roots of the organization.
International / Regional Connections. Champion the Chamber's international trade platform; lead trade missions to Latin American markets and host international business delegations; create cross-border economic opportunities and position Albuquerque as a gateway for Hispanic-owned business expansion.
Organizational Leadership & Delegation. Build, lead, and develop a high-performing team of ~25 staff grounded in accountability, service, and excellence; set clear performance expectations; oversee succession planning and performance management; foster a culture where staff grow professionally.
Execution, Alignment & Transition Leadership. Develop and articulate a long-term strategic vision that drives measurable member value; translate strategy into accountable systems and disciplined execution; modernize the organization through scalable systems, effective technology, and AI-enabled tools where appropriate.
Strategic Partnership with the Board. Serve as primary liaison and trusted advisor to the Board; prepare agendas, reports, and materials; implement Board-approved plans; respect the distinction between governance and management.
Application Process
Submit the following four items by May 26, 2026 at 5:00pm:
A current resume or curriculum vitae
Cover letter speaking to your leadership philosophy and why this role fits at this moment
A brief strategic statement (one to two pages) responding to: "What are the two or three most important things you would prioritize in your first year, and why?"
Three professional references (references will not be contacted without your consent)
Education. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in business administration, communications, public administration, finance, marketing, or a related field. Equivalent combination of education, executive leadership experience, and demonstrated success in a comparable environment will be considered in lieu of a degree.
Executive leadership. 12+ years of progressive executive-level leadership with accountability for multi-function teams, significant external-facing responsibilities, and sustained tenure in prior senior leadership roles.
Revenue and financial accountability. Verifiable revenue growth across multiple streams and direct accountability for multi-million-dollar budgets with full P&L responsibility, including senior-level fundraising or business development with quantifiable results.
Diversified revenue. Revenue generation beyond traditional membership models, with funder relationships across corporate, foundation, and public-agency partners.
Stakeholder relationships and external presence. Proven ability to build senior-level relationships across business, civic, government, and community sectors, with a track record of public speaking, media, or policy testimony at the regional or national level.
Advocacy and public policy. Significant experience leading advocacy or government relations in complex, multi-stakeholder environments, with measurable policy outcomes or coalition wins.
Preferred Qualifications
Education. Advanced degree (e.g., MBA, MPA, or related field) is preferred.
Sector experience. Prior leadership tenure in a chamber of commerce, trade association, economic development organization, or comparable member-driven nonprofit, including prior nonprofit CEO or executive tenure.
Strategy, execution, and modernization. Documented experience translating strategy into measurable, board-reported results, including building or modernizing scalable systems, processes, or technology infrastructure.
Board governance. Senior executive leadership with direct accountability to a board of directors, with demonstrated executive judgment, governance acumen, and a record of earning and sustaining board trust.
New Mexico engagement. Sustained engagement with New Mexico's communities, business landscape, and cultural dynamics, with established relationships among local business, civic, cultural, and government leaders.
Cultural and community fit. Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish or comfort leading in bilingual, bicultural environments; long-tenured ties to and recognized leadership presence within New Mexico's Hispanic business and cultural community.
Convention, tourism, and program portfolio leadership. Documented leadership of convention, tourism, hospitality, or DMO-style functions, or programmatic portfolio leadership at scale.
Government partnerships and advocacy. Federal agency partnership experience (e.g., U.S. Commercial Service, ITA, SBA, EDA); advocacy or coalition leadership.
International trade. International trade, export development, or cross-border business leadership, particularly with Latin American markets.
501(c)(3) governance and modernization. 501(c)(3) governance experience; track record of leveraging AI, digital platforms, or modern technology for measurable performance gains.
Established in 1975, the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce (AHCC) is the largest Hispanic chamber of commerce in the United States and the largest chamber of commerce in New Mexico. AHCC represents a community of approximately 1,200 business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals throughout the Albuquerque metro region and the state of New Mexico.
The Chamber's mission is to advance business development, advocacy, entrepreneurship, workforce growth, and economic opportunity within the Hispanic business community and the broader New Mexico economy. Core programming includes member services and business assistance, the Business Enterprise Opportunity Center (BEOC), education and scholarship initiatives, marketing and networking opportunities, and a Convention & Tourism Department.
