Jenny Kinsey is a reporter for the Mountain West News Bureau based at KANW in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She has worked as a freelance journalist and has authored many articles on the issues of aging and caregiving. Jenny holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism and political science from East Texas A&M University. She is the At-Large Newsline Coordinator for the New Mexico Commission for the Blind, leading volunteers recording publications. Jenny is the author of Eldercare in Texas: A Family Resource Guide (Rowman & Littlefield, 2003), a practical guide for those caring for aging parents. She worked as a licensed nursing home administrator in New Mexico and Texas for over a decade. Her doctoral studies at Texas Tech University in Lubbock included coursework in gerontology.

Shannon Kunkel is a native of Albuquerque and has spent nearly two decades working in the non-profit and public sectors, managing communications, membership, and marketing efforts for a variety of organizations. She is currently an advancement officer for Meals on Wheels New Mexico. In 2025, she served briefly as Press Secretary for the City of Albuquerque, Office of the Mayor. Her prior experience includes community outreach and development roles with Common Cause New Mexico, the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government, and the Albuquerque Journal. Shannon graduated summa cum laude from the University of New Mexico with a degree in mass communications and journalism and an emphasis in advertising. Shannon is dedicated to democracy and creating a future where all New Mexicans have the opportunity to thrive.

Ruth E. Thaler-Carter, NMPW secretary and Communicator of
Achievement chair, is an award-winning writer/editor who has been writing for
pay since high school and freelancing full-time since 1984, after in-house communications
positions at a weekly Black newspaper, international magazine, trade
association, and public hospital. Ruth is active in SouthWest Writers, New
Mexico Writers, the Cat Writers’ Association, National Association of
Independent Writers & Editors, Society of Professional
Journalists/Freelance Community, and Editorial Freelancers Association.

Athena Christodoulou is a retired Navy Commander (2005) who has Engineering and Science degrees from North Carolina State University, UCF, and UNM. Her journalism experience includes writing electronic newsletters for her Google app, Udorami. Athena currently serves as CEO and is relaunching this Swiss Army knife of list making. She also wrote speeches and newsletters for campaigns for the NM legislative office, advocacy speeches for environmental issues, and Op-Eds to various local media.