TABLE Magazine and Century Bank convened a behind-the-scenes dinner with some of Santa Fe’s most respected nonprofit leaders to learn about the vast landscape of challenges and opportunities they encounter in New Mexico.
Linda Myers, our hostess.
A Look Inside New Mexico’s Nonprofits and Their Encounters
Understanding the critical role nonprofits play by bridging the gaps between what a community needs and what the government cannot always supply, made a gathering of some of Santa Fe’s most revered nonprofit leaders a rare and important opportunity. The group convened at the home of Linda and Max Myers over wine and a delicious dinner prepared by La Posada’s Chef Israel Castro. Lively conversations sparked deep connections and compassion and reminded us all why we live here.
Linda is a former teacher at Santa Fe High School and Max is the Vice Chairman of the Board for Century Bank, one of Santa Fe’s most vocal nonprofit supporters. According to Anna Maggiore, Vice-President/Director of Marketing, in 2024, Century Bank donated more than $300,000 to over 150 nonprofits across the state. The bank’s generosity is a model for other businesses of how to actively support nonprofits.
More delicious fare from Chef Castro.
Great Food and Community Gather Around the Table
Known for creating bold flavors that deliciously celebrate his Mexican heritage and his love of New Mexico, Chef Israel delivered a spectacular feast in appreciation of the tireless work the guests and their organizations do to enhance the quality of life in our community. Throughout the night, he tantalized our tastebuds to honor the extraordinary work for people, animals, art, nature, and the underserved these organizations provide.
Jill Dixon (The Food Depot) , Keith Recker (TABLE Magazine), Linda Milanesi (Assistance Dogs of the West), and David Young (Santa Fe Botanical Garden).
While everyone was sipping wine and bubbles and getting to know one another, Chef Israel’s team passed scrumptious appetizers including stuffed mushrooms, steak tartare over crostini, and crispy tortilla chips topped with tuna tartare. Everyone’s palates were piqued with curiosity and anticipation of what was already setting up to be a magnificent evening of comestibles and community.
When we settled around the large dining room table, TABLE’s Editor in Chief, Keith Recker, facilitated the conversation and reminded us why we were together. He said, “TABLE Magazine is about living a great life and taking care of the people around you. And this was the inspiration behind this dinner party—to explore what is currently happening in the nonprofit sector in northern New Mexico, what your organizations are doing to improve quality of life, and to inspire readers on the ways they can offer support through volunteering and charitable contributions, as well as talking to their friends about nonprofit jewels like yours that are doing the heavy lifting for our community.”
Jill Dixon (The Food Depot) and Angie Chandler (The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum).
New Mexico’s Nonprofit Realities
Jill Dixon, who became The Food Depot’s Executive Director in 2024 after serving as the Director of Development for almost a decade as well as Deputy Director for three years, jumped in to start the conversation.
Left: Max Myers (Century Bank). Right: Linda Myers.
“We serve nine counties and 40,000 people receive food assistance from us and our 80 partners. Resilient is the word I like to use. But I know everyone is tired of having to be resilient. It’s not a badge of honor anymore. People are trying to find a way to feed their children and prices have exploded. But in a world that feels incredibly unkind, we see so much kindness. People who are in line at 3 a.m. for their neighbors and elderly parents, people sharing scarce resources, volunteers who show up when it’s too cold, and recipients who say thank you. It is this incredible kindness and philanthropy that keeps giving. This is an incredible place to live in an unkind moment.”
A fresh as well as delicious first course from Chef Israel Castro (La Posada).
Keeping a Positive Note
David Young, Executive Director of the Santa Fe Botanical Garden, says his organization struggles with a different problem as they work to change their image so that all people feel welcome at the Garden. “We have a lot of hope and are focusing on building a healthy community by highlighting the benefits of being in nature. We also are working to connect with the younger generations, so they understand the impact of climate challenges we face. As an educational institution, we want everyone to feel welcome and know they are welcome at the Garden,” he says.
Cynthia Delgado, Development Director for NDI-New Mexico (National Dance Institute) also sees hope. She says, “Northern New Mexico is a region of deep family and cultural roots, and I see fear, the worry of being able to take care of your family and help them succeed and stay in this beautiful place. I also see hope. Hope that our kids succeed because at NDI, our kids are joyful, sweaty, and they don’t give up. Dance is scary and yet they accomplish the challenge, and this provides hope for them—one day, and one dance, at a time.”
Heather Hunter, Cynthia Delgado (NDI-New Mexico), and Justin Matase (TABLE Magazine).
Why Keep Going?
THINK New Mexico is a results-oriented think tank led by Fred Nathan who says, “We live in a state that is 49th or 50th in ranking and we focus on enduring solutions rather than political ideology. We see the stats that are not encouraging, but there is a lot of reason for hope. We are rich in a lot of ways. The philanthropy of giving in northern New Mexico is extraordinary.”
And the food was also extraordinary, as we enjoyed Chef Israel’s interpretation of green chili pork posole with cabbage, lime, crispy corn tortilla, dried oregano, and pickled red onion. The table was quiet for a moment as we savored this delicious soup.
Hors d’oeuvres from Chef Castro.
Collaboration and Compassion Are the Keys
Representing the Georgia O’Keefe Museum was Angie Chandler who comes to Santa Fe from Los Angeles, and said, “My area is engagement with college students and lifelong learning, and I have seen a hunger for knowledge. The schools are hungry and the students are hungry, and so my job is to meet them where they are and bring Georgia’s story to life for them and collaboration is critical.”
Linda Milanesi, with Assistance Dogs of the West, reminded us of the important role animals play in our lives. “We are celebrating our 30th year working an in-depth education program where elementary through high school and other populations work with our professional dog trainers to reinforce the cues. Through this experience, they learn compassion and consistency and sometimes this is the first time they have given and received love. We have challenges but I am ready to meet that challenge.”
Left: Anna Maggiore (Century Bank). Right: Jill Dixon (The Food Depot).
Next, we settled into La Posada’s spinach salad with bacon, red onion, candied walnuts, blue cheese, as well as a red wine-poached pear, all dressed with a warm maple bacon vinaigrette. We paused to enjoy our salads and mingle before diving into the exquisite entrée Chef Israel prepared—a Chimayo red chile birria short ribs over polenta, with avocado, pickled red onions, and cilantro.
Generosity, Kindness, Advocacy, and Volunteers Lift New Mexico’s Nonprofits
Recker next asked the group what is working well and what makes their work essential in northern New Mexico. The answers were vastly different but interconnected to creating compassionate and capable humans.
Nathan started by reminding the group how many nonprofits we have in this region. “It is harder to run a nonprofit than a business because we rely on donors, and this reflects that our people are kind and generous.”
Angie Chandler (Georgia O’Keeffe Museum) and Fred Nathan (THINK New Mexico).
Chandler echoed this sentiment and said, “We are producing kinder people. And integrating arts makes learning impactful. Everything we do is free and that’s the magic!”
A strong sense of belonging is at the heart of what these nonprofits do every single day. Their advice to the community? Donate, volunteer, and then advocate.
Delgado says, “Learn about the organization you are interested in and what the needs and complexities are. Get to know the staff and the people who are doing the work. We appreciate the charitable gifts but commit to sustainability and long-term.”
Because only through sustainable contributions and long-term investments will northern New Mexico’s nonprofits and residents succeed.
Nonprofit Leaders in Attendance
- Angie Chandler, Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
- Cynthia Delgado, NDI-New Mexico
- Jill Dixon, The Food Depot
- Linda Milanesi, Assistance Dogs of the West
- Fred Nathan, THINK New Mexico
- David Young, Santa Fe Botanical Garden
Hosts
- Linda Myers, Century Bank
- Max Myers, Century Bank
Story by Heather Hunter
Photography by Tira Howard
Food by Chef Israel Castro, La Posada
