New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) Cabinet Secretary Debra Garcia y Griego oversees the broadest state cultural agency in the nation. Her 29 years of experience at the intersection of culture and government has created authentic connections for thriving communities. Under Garcia y Griego’s leadership, DCA expanded statewide services to residents through 16 cultural facilities, museums, library, and arts programs. She launched a series of initiatives providing all 33 counties and 23 tribal communities with direct educational programs, increased funding for rural and tribal libraries, and certified developing libraries on the Navajo Nation. Her leadership led to completion of the $21 million NM Museum of Art Vladem Contemporary in addition to utility improvements at Fort Stanton Historic Site, and a new permanent exhibition at the Bosque Redondo Memorial at Fort Sumner Historic Site. Prior to DCA, Garcia y Griego was Executive Director of the City of Santa Fe Arts Commision leading it to the creation of the city’s first cultural plan and the nation’s first law against forgery of Native American arts and crafts.