Executive Leadership

Dr. Diego Gallegos

CEO

Dr. Diego Gallegos lives in Albuquerque’s South Valley with his wife Teresa Archuleta, Principal at Tierra Adentro Charter School and New Mexico’s National Distinguished Principal K-8 in 2010, and her two children, Jordan and Madison. His daughter Ileana is a Special Education teacher in the Albuquerque Public Schools and his grandson Amado attends Valle Vista Elementary School. He raises horses, goats, lambs, and an occasional steer. His family came to the South Valley in the 1600s, and he and his family, his father, three brothers, one sister and their families have been lifetime residents of Albuquerque’s South Valley.

Diego Gallegos has been an active member of the Albuquerque community throughout his life having served as a member of the South Valley Area Council, Economic Opportunity Board of Directors, Vice President of the EXPLORA Children’s Museum Board of Directors, member and President of the Youth Development Inc. 

Robert Chavez 

CFO/COO

Robert Chavez is YDI’s Chief Financial & Operations Officer Mr. Chavez’ history with YDI began when he was a 14-year-old summer youth employee. Today, he oversees all of YDI’s finances and programmatic operations. He is second in command of the company, reporting only to YDI’s President and CEO Dr. Diego Gallegos.

He is the former COO of the New Mexico State Board of Nursing, and former interim co-division director for the New Mexico Human Services Department’s Behavioral Health Services Division as well as former Deputy Director for the Income Support Division Chavez holds an MA and BS degrees from the University of Phoenix.

Donna Martinez

VP of Human Resources

Donna Martinez is the Vice President of Human Resources for the agency and has been with YDI for 42 years. Ms. Martinez and her professional staff are responsible for all personnel matters for the more than five hundred professional employees of YDI. Ms. Martinez has been employed with YDI for thirty three years and is a leading expert in the field of Human Resources. Ms. Martinez graduated from the University of Phoenix with a Bachelors degree in 2000.

Manuel Casias

VP of Development and Annual Giving

Manuel Casias is the VP of Development and Annual Giving with Youth Development Inc. He has more than 30 years of experience in operations, strategic planning, fiscal management, fund/business development. Casias has a bachelor’s degree from the College of Santa Fe; a master’s degree in organizational management from the University of Phoenix; and also has a master’s degree in divinity from Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas.

Debra Baca

VP of Early Childhood Education

Debra has an M.A. in Business Administration and over 36 years of direct services and senior management experience with YDI. Debra oversees and administers $16 million annually. She provides leadership and supervision for 350 staff members, whose primary focus is to implement high quality education for young children and self sufficiency for families.

Concha Cordova

VP of Education, Employment, and Training

Concha Cordova has 19 years of experience with direct service and senior management of youth workforce development, dropout prevention, and education programs at YDI.  Mrs. Cordova has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminology with a minor in Psychology and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration.