Denise Montoya, PhD, SHRM SCP, SPHR

Dr. Denise Montoya is a distinguished leader with a career-long commitment to serving the community. She most recently served as the Chief Executive Officer of the New Mexico Home Builders Association, following an esteemed career in public service that spanned nearly three decades, primarily in higher education as an executive leader and educator.

Dr. Montoya is also the Founder of P.S. People Strategy, Inc., where she channels her passion for education, leadership, and community development. As a seasoned professional, she specializes in strategic planning, designing and implementing learning cultures, and providing human resources and higher education consulting. Her extensive expertise includes strategic planning, leadership development, human resources consulting, crisis management, administration, and finance.

Throughout her career, Dr. Montoya has significantly contributed to the growth and success of several institutions. She has held executive leadership roles, including Chief of Staff and Vice President for Finance and Administration at Northern New Mexico College, and Associate Vice President for Finance, Administration, and Government Relations at New Mexico Highlands University. Her work at these institutions focused on investing in education, learning, and maximizing student potential.

Dr. Montoya earned her Ph.D. in Organization, Information, and Learning Sciences from the University of New Mexico. Her commitment to leadership and community service is further demonstrated through her numerous board leadership roles. She serves as Chair of the Los Alamos National Laboratory Foundation Board, a Board of Trustees member for Southwestern College, and served as the Membership Advisory Council Representative for the Southwest Central Region for the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM). Additionally, she has been a President for the SHRM New Mexico Council, President of the Human Resources Management Association (HRMA) of New Mexico, and a Judge and Examiner for Quality New Mexico.

As a published co-author, Dr. Montoya has conducted research on topics such as a Model of Shared Leadership and Building Trust in Virtual Teams. Her career highlights include being honored as a Women of Influence by Albuquerque Business First in 2015 and receiving the HR Volunteer of the Year award from the HRMA of New Mexico in 2011. She was also a recipient of the 2018-2019 HU President Leadership Development Fellowship. An accomplished faculty member and national speaker, Dr. Montoya has shared her insights and expertise in New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Alabama. Her career is marked by a steadfast dedication to enhancing education, leadership, and community development, making her a highly respected and influential figure in her field.