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Stephanie Santillanes is a trailblazer in community engagement, currently serving as the inaugural Director of Community Engagement at Sunward Credit Union. In this pivotal role, she is not only designing and implementing a robust community engagement program but is also establishing Sunward’s first-ever department of community engagement and its inaugural foundation. Her visionary leadership is driving initiatives that deepen connections with credit union members, empower community partners, and amplify the organization’s impact.
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A proud native of Las Vegas, New Mexico, Stephanie brings over a decade of experience in community partnerships, outreach, and philanthropy. Her journey includes impactful roles with Roadrunner Food Bank, the New Mexico Highlands University Foundation, and United Way of North Central New Mexico (UWNCNM), where she led the groundbreaking Shared Purpose program. Through this initiative, she strengthened corporate-community collaborations and inspired organizations to embrace their social responsibilities.
Stephanie is also reimagining the credit union’s scholarship and financial literacy programs, integrating a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) lens to ensure they are culturally appropriate and resonate with the diverse communities they serve. By weaving equity and cultural relevance into these efforts, she aims to create accessible pathways for education and financial empowerment.
Her leadership and commitment to community advancement have earned her recognition through prestigious fellowships and awards, including Building Better Boards with People of Color (2021), the United Way Worldwide Fellowship Leadership Program (2022), the New Mexico Changemakers Cohort 3 (2023), and the PRSA NM Jennifer Riordan Community Services Award (2024). In 2025, Stephanie was honored as one of Albuquerque Business First’s Women of Influence, a testament to her impactful work and dedication to creating lasting change.
She remains deeply engaged with organizations such as the Albuquerque Community Foundation Future Fund, the United Way of Central New Mexico Tocqueville Society, the Hispano Philanthropic Society, the ABQ Volunteer Advisory Board, and Girls on the Run Rio Grande, where she proudly serves as a board member.
Stephanie’s academic achievements include a BA in Health Promotion and Wellness with a minor in Women’s Studies, an MA in Exercise Sport Science, and an MBA in Marketing, all earned at New Mexico Highlands University. During her graduate studies, she excelled as a teaching assistant and was honored with the Graduate Assistant of the Year Award in 2013.
When she’s not championing community initiatives, Stephanie enjoys adventuring across New Mexico with her husband, Marcus, and their dog, Bradley. An avid runner and outdoor enthusiast, she embraces an active lifestyle while staying deeply connected to her Northern New Mexico roots. Stephanie’s dedication to equity, empowerment, and cultural inclusion continues to shape her vision for vibrant and thriving communities.
