Meet our Staff Members
Lesley Meyer
Executive Director (Firestarter)
Hello, my name is Lesley Meyer and I was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I received my bachelors and MBA from UNM, but am so thankful to have found myself in a health education setting. It has grown to be my passion and I’m thankful I get to continue that journey now with NHI.
My background includes a decade of serving in NM Indigenous Communities from a health education perspective within various areas like commercial tobacco, diabetes prevention, food sovereignty, and social determinants of health. I have had the opportunity to work for both for-profit and non-profit organizations including serving as Community Health Program Manager for a Native-owned small business, and as both Chair of the statewide coalition, the New Mexico Allied Council on Tobacco, and Communications and Marketing lead for the New Mexico Chronic Disease Prevention Council.
In my free time I enjoy baking, playing volleyball, reading, and spending days with my husband and two young sons. It is truly an honor for me to lead Native Health Initiative as the Executive Director. I look forward to serving and being a part of the wonderful NHI community.
Roderick Lansing
RM Associate Coordinator
Hello, my name is Rod Lansing. I am Navajo from Sanostee, NM. Currently, I am one of the coordinators for NHI’s Running Medicine program. I have enjoyed transitioning from a RM member to a RM coach and then to this position. I have been running since middle school and enjoy the “medicine” that movement provides to me mentally, physically, and spiritually.
My family and I enjoy coming to this wellness community and have been blessed to meet numerous families to move with. I invite you and your family to our next RM celebration to see what this community can provide for you. See you soon. Run Happy!
Shannon Chavez-Holiday
Másanís Massage Program Manager
Jessica Begay
RM Program Manager
Ya’at’eeh! My name is Jessica Begay. I am originally from Fort Defiance, AZ but have resided in Albuquerque since 2011. By day I am in full time academic research with UNM’s College of Pharmacy, and by night I will be joining Running Medicine as the new Program Manager.
Much of my professional experience comes from my day-time research translation and community engagement duties and I am very excited (and a bit nervous!) to help usher Running Medicine into a new era of movement and healing for all communities. I have been runner most of my life, but took a short hiatus due to “couch-itis,” but I am happy to say that I am back at it.
In my free time, I enjoy basketball, the outdoors, music, arts, and Jeeping—and, I consider Disney karaoke appropriate in both my busy and free times. I look forward to meeting and getting to know everyone and hear your stories and exchange new ideas!
Michael Daney
Head of Sports Warrior Track Club
College Educator of Health, Fitness, & Wellness for over 30 years. Collegiate and Post-Collegiate Running coach for over 30 years.
Barbara Gutierrez
Healers of Tomorrow Program Manager
Ya’at’eeh! My name is Barbara Gutierrez, and I serve as the Program Manager for the Healers of Tomorrow (HOT) program. I’m Diné and have lived most of my life in Albuquerque, NM, though I spent many summers in Ganado, AZ, where my family is from. I’ve been involved with HOT and the Native Health Initiative for over two years, supporting Indigenous and minority high school students through mentorship and culturally informed health education. I graduated from the University of New Mexico with a degree in Emergency Medical Services, and I plan to pursue medical school and a Master of Public Health to continue serving Native communities through clinical care and health policy.