Meet NMANS: Introducing Our Board and New Executive Director

Greetings from NMANS!

My name is Bob Ippel and I am the Executive Director of the New Mexico Association of Non-public Schools. Our family moved to New Mexico in 1993 and we call this amazing state our home. I have always loved education and have seen the difference it makes in the lives of students when parents and schools partner in the development of children and youth.

After working at Rehoboth Christian School near Gallup for over 30 years, I have agreed to lead NMANS in "retirement." NMANS has been an important organization in promoting and protecting private schooling as an option for all New Mexico families. I have been amazed at what the NMANS Board has been able to do without an executive director over the past five years. I am excited to see how the organization may flourish even more now that I am able to work on behalf of the board, even if in a very part time role.

We are blessed to have a dedicated board that has such a passion for private education. They understand the hard work you do because they do that work themselves. They have years of experience in private education. Let me introduce you to an amazing group of people! Please feel free to reach out to any of us with any ideas or questions you might have regarding private education.

November 2024

Meet the Board

Donna Illerbrun, Board President

Superintendent at Archdiocese of Santa Fe
Office of Catholic Schools
Albuquerque
dillerbrun@asfnm.org

After serving at St Therese Catholic School in Albuquerque school for 15 years, Donna became superintendent of the Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, a position she has held for 3 years. As a military wife, Donna had the chance to teach throughout the United States and Europe, often at private schools. Donna has been on the NMANS Board for 3 years.

Kevin Dunning, Secretary

Head of School
Immanuel Lutheran
Albuquerque
principal@immanuelabq.org

Kevin Dunning has been head of school at the 101-year-old Immanuel Lutheran School in Albuquerque for three years. He has been involved in private education for 47 years and hopes to retire at the end of the 2024-25 school year. Kevin has been on the NMANS Board for 2 years.

Antonio Trujillo, Treasurer

Head of School
St. Joseph Mission School
San Fidel
atrujillo@stjosephmissionschool.org

Antonio Trujillo serves as the Principal of St. Joseph Mission School. The school serves the communities of Acoma and Laguna Pueblo communities as well as the surrounding Spanish communities of Seboyeta, Cubero and San Fidel, New Mexico. St. Joseph School just finished celebrating its 100th year anniversary founded by the Franciscans in 1923. Mr. Trujillo has been serving the school for the past 14 years. He has served on the NMANS Board for 4 years.

Robin Parker

Head of School
Gateway Christian School
Roswell
rparker1@gatewaychristianschool.us

Robin Parker has been head of school at Gateway Christian School for 11 years. Gateway is located in her hometown, Roswell. She has been on the NMANS Board for 11 years.

Melissa Padilla

Head of School
Western Heights Learning Center
Albuquerque
m.padilla@westernheightsabq.org

Melissa Padilla has been at Western Heights Learning Center for 34 years, serving as director for 13 of those years. Western Heights was founded in 1968 by her grandparents who wanted to provide a Christian education option for students who lived in southwest Albuquerque. This is Melissa's first year on the NMANS Board.

Kimberly Cordova

Head of School
Calvary Christian School
Albuquerque
kcordova@calvarychristianabq.com

Kimberly Cordova has been involved in private education for 10 years but has been head of Calvary Christian School for six years. Calvary Christian School is located in Albuquerque and shares space with Calvary Chapel East and was founded in 1966. This is Kimberly's first year on the NMANS Board.

Fedah Mansour

Head of School
Salam Academy
Albuquerque
fedah.abdelhack@salamacademy.org

Fedah Mansour has been involved in private education for 10 years while serving as an Administrator and then a principal at Salam Academy, the only private school serving the Muslim population in all of New Mexico. The school began in 2001 but has been in their current building since 2015. This is Fedah's first year on the NMANS Board.