SUPPORTING COLLABORATION
Dr. Katherine Ortega Courtney – Co-Director
Dr. Katherine Ortega Courtney is a psychologist, researcher, author, and public health leader whose work focuses on the prevention of childhood trauma and the development of data-driven, community-level systems that support children and families. She is the co-director of the Anna, Age Eight Institute, where she helps advance upstream strategies to reduce adverse childhood experiences and strengthen family- and community-serving systems.
Dr. Courtney earned her doctorate in experimental psychology from Texas Christian University, where her research emphasized substance abuse treatment, prevention, and behavior change. She is a Fulbright Specialist, contributing her expertise to international and cross-sector initiatives focused on research translation, prevention, and systems improvement.
Her professional work bridges rigorous data analysis with lived experience, emphasizing practical solutions that improve outcomes before families reach crisis. She is the co-author of Anna, Age Eight: The Data-Driven Prevention of Childhood Trauma and Maltreatment, the publication that inspired the creation of the Anna, Age Eight Institute, 100% Community: Operationalizing the Social Determinants of Health, and The 100% Community Model: The Art and Science of Ensuring Ten Vital Services for Surviving and Thriving, which outline frameworks for ensuring access to essential services across communities.
Born in Chimayó, New Mexico, Dr. Courtney brings a deep understanding of culture, place, and resilience to her work. She is widely recognized for translating complex research and systems data into clear, actionable strategies that support prevention, equity, and long-term community wellbeing. Email: koc@nmsu.edu
Dr. Dominic Cappello – Co-Director
Dr. Dominic Cappello is a New York Times bestselling author and public health advocate whose work spans the fields of health, safety, education, and systems change. He earned his doctorate from New Mexico State University’s College of Health, Education, and Social Transformation, where his research centered on community engagement and capacity-building to increase access to vital services. Dr. Cappello’s professional experience includes service with the New Mexico Department of Health’s Epidemiology and Response Division and the New Mexico Child Protective Services Research, Assessment, and Data Bureau. His Ten Talks series on family safety achieved national prominence following his appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show, underscoring his commitment to public awareness and prevention. He is the co-author of Anna, Age Eight: The Data-Driven Prevention of Childhood Trauma and Maltreatment, a publication that inspired the creation of the Anna, Age Eight Institute in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he serves as co-director. Together with Dr. Katherine Ortega Courtney, he also co-authored 100% Community: Operationalizing the Social Determinants of Health and The 100% Community Model: The Art and Science of Ensuring Ten Vital Services for Surviving and Thriving. He is an advocate for harnessing human ingenuity and AI-driven innovation to strengthen systems of governance that serve the common good. Email: cappello@nmsu.edu
Gregory Sherrow – IT Director
Gregory’s experience in both the public and private sectors of the information technology profession has provided a broad foundation for creating adaptable information architectures, learning management systems, and managing diverse IT operations. He has architected learning management systems for the Data Leaders for Child Welfare program in New Mexico, Connecticut, and New York City; he developed the technology prototypes for the Safety+Success learning management systems focused on family safety and health piloted in South Carolina and New Mexico; and his learning management system clients have included state departments of health, state departments of education and offices of attorneys general. He also advises organizations on remote workforce management strategies and is a proponent of using technology to empower agencies and communities while strengthening national, state, and local systems of public health, safety, and education. Email: gsherrow@nmsu.edu
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Marangellie Trujillo – Associate Director
Marangellie has over 15 years of experience in initiating and developing collaborative partnerships with communities, organizations, and institutions; and in leading, planning and implementing statewide health-related and educational programs. Recently, she led and advanced the community schools strategy in New Mexico, directed the ECHO for Community Schools Program, facilitated statewide performance management systems, and conducted research and evaluation. Marangellie’s academic background is in science (Bachelor of Science in Cellular and Molecular Biology from Universidad Metropolitana in Puerto Rico; Master’s in Biotechnology with a concentration in Biodefense from The Johns Hopkins University in Maryland), communicable and infectious diseases, public health, and education, among others. Marangellie values the strength of New Mexico’s diverse communities, the multilingualism, resilience, creativity, culture, and compassion for one another. Email: maratru@nmsu.edu