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From their sacrifices to my success: A tribute to the women who came before me

From their sacrifices to my success: A tribute to the women who came before me

This is a super vulnerable story, that I thought would only be appropriate for Facebook and Instagram until one of my mentors said: share your story, share your thoughts, use your voice, shift the narrative for what LinkedIn post should look like. 

So here it is.

I’ve spent probably too much time this week sobbing over this picture and the reason for taking it.

The tears have come from deep reflection—especially with it being Women’s History Month and constantly being asked, Who inspires you? What women inspire you? I think about my two grandmothers, who lived simple yet challenging lives, doing the best they could with what they knew to survive and take care of their children and grandchildren. My mom did the same—she did the best she could with what she had.

Acknowledging the real and true sacrifices that were made for me to be here, in this moment, receiving a Women of Influence award, is overwhelming. I wouldn’t have any of this without the lived experiences of these three women—the generational trauma they endured or their will to break cycles.

Being awarded the 2025 Woman of Influence award by Albuquerque Business First has been an experience in itself. To some, it’s a huge achievement. To others, it may not seem significant at all. I’ve had to navigate my emotions around that. Yes, at times, it brings me to tears, but it also reminds me how resilient and strong I am. I think about how proud my grandmothers would be if they were alive today, and how proud my mother is of me now.

I often remind myself—I am living my ancestors’ wildest dreams. Yet, I struggle to feel proud or say, I made it. I just do my best to help others, lead with my heart, and make a difference—not for recognition, but for purpose.

On her deathbed, in the home she worked so hard for, my grandmother Lillie Alice told me as I said my final goodbye: Please get your education. Don’t be like me and work the way I did. Please do better, hita.

I carry those words with me every day. They remind me that my success is not just my own—it belongs to the women before me who paved the way, to the sacrifices they made, and to the legacy I hope to continue. This award is a reflection of them as much as it is of me.

Cheers to all the outstanding, exceptional, talented, fierce, strong, and resilient women I had the absolute honor of standing alongside at the Albuquerque Business First 21st annual Women of Influence Awards. It is truly a privilege.

Stephanie Santillanes

Stephanie Santillanes

Sunward Federal Credit Union

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. ...

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.

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