Our team is made up of 5 Full Time Staff, 5 Part Time Staff, and a number of affiliated volunteer staff. Our leadership is comprised of individuals with varied backgrounds and experience, creating a team that is able to effectively impact our community with their unique gifts.
Bethany Rivera Molinar: Executive Director
Melissa Ledbetter: Director of Adult Programs and Partnerships Development
Claudia Chavez:
Director of Youth Programs and Mental Health and Wellness Coordinator
Alma Martinez: Food Co-Op Coordinator and Community Connector
Gary Enge:
Volunteer Admin Support
Abby Carl Klassen:
Director of Grants & Institutional Giving
Maria Gutierrez: Community Connector and Adult Programs Support Coordinator
Christopher Sepulveda:
Launch Pad Coordinator
Sofia Quinones Segovia: Adult Programs Assistant
Stephanie Ramirez :
Office Manager
Deborah Ledesma:
MSW Intern, NMSU
Saul Gutierrez:
BSW Intern, UTEP
Juan Duran: Kids Create Coordinator
Michelle Gardea: MSW Intern, NMSU
Ana Marie Cano: Communications Coordinator
FULL TIME STAFF
Bethany Rivera Molinar
Bethany Rivera Molinar is the Executive Director of Ciudad Nueva Community Outreach. She was born and raised in El Paso and is a graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso where she received her bachelor of science degree. Bethany earned both Masters of Divinity & Masters of Social Work degrees at Truett Theological Seminary and the Diana Garland School of Social Work at Baylor University. She is a licensed and ordained minister through Church Under the Bridge in Waco, Texas.
Bethany’s community development experience includes: community organizing at local and state levels, parental engagement, and bridging the local church to their neighborhood. She has worked at Ciudad Nueva since 2013 and has served in multiple capacities including middle school program coordinator, youth programs director, grant writer and director of operations. Bethany is deeply passionate for Ciudad Nueva to be a place where community work unfolds and community members are actively engaged and accessing their gifts, skills, and resources to collectively lead towards a vibrant and thriving community. Along with her team and community, this passion has driven the work that she has done through Ciudad Nueva for the past ten years.
Bethany serves on the national board of the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) as well as the boards of two local organizations. She has a history of leading with prophetic strength and innovative leadership within local, regional, and national women of color faith circles. When not doing all of the above, Bethany enjoys spending time with her husband Adrian and their children, running, urban gardening, and pursuing the crafty arts.
Bethany’s community development experience includes: community organizing at local and state levels, parental engagement, and bridging the local church to their neighborhood. She has worked at Ciudad Nueva since 2013 and has served in multiple capacities including middle school program coordinator, youth programs director, grant writer and director of operations. Bethany is deeply passionate for Ciudad Nueva to be a place where community work unfolds and community members are actively engaged and accessing their gifts, skills, and resources to collectively lead towards a vibrant and thriving community. Along with her team and community, this passion has driven the work that she has done through Ciudad Nueva for the past ten years.
Bethany serves on the national board of the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) as well as the boards of two local organizations. She has a history of leading with prophetic strength and innovative leadership within local, regional, and national women of color faith circles. When not doing all of the above, Bethany enjoys spending time with her husband Adrian and their children, running, urban gardening, and pursuing the crafty arts.
Melissa Ledbetter
Melissa serves as the Director of Adult Programs for Ciudad Nueva. Born in the Midwest, she moved to Santiago, Chile, with her family as a teenager and has since lived across cities and cultures in South, Central and North America as a single twenty-something, wife and mom. She received her B.A. in English Education from Culver-Stockton College and began her vocational career of engaging leaders as the Director of Worship & Discipleship at Cornerstone University, where she met her husband, Nate. In the years since, Melissa has combined her education with multiple trainings and experience to focus on supporting students, women navigating high-risk pregnancies and living conditions, local communities and organizational leaders through non-profit work and leadership coaching. As interim Co-Executive Director of Charis Community Housing in Atlanta, Georgia, through the housing market crash of 2008, she got to experience the merger of her lifelong love of renewing spaces with the transformative work of community development. Since 2007, Melissa’s work, in between raising four kids who are all now teenagers, has been focused on local community empowerment, engaging inherent resources, and supporting leaders. Her experiences have taught her the need to understand life from multiple vantage points, and she loves to write and communicate about navigating daily challenges through hopeful, compelling and funny stories that are all around us if we’re looking for them. She believes the impact of various kinds of trauma is far greater than we often know, and she is passionate about bringing truth to light and walking with others to experience God’s hope, healing and restoration. Melissa is a writer, speaker, coach and workshop facilitator who cares deeply about utilizing the building blocks of hope, resilience, and trust to build stronger people, teams and communities. Melissa lives with her family near the US/Mexico border in Central El Paso, Texas.
Alma Martinez
Alma serves as our Food Co-Op Coordinator and as a Community Connector. She was drawn to Ciudad Nueva because she liked the people and the programs, the love and caring she saw exhibited, as she and her family became involved. As Alma became more involved, her ability to organize has demonstrated itself. As our Food Co-op Coordinator, she loves helping others. Alma loves spending her free time with her kids. Though she claims to be naturally shy, her infectious personality is winsome.
PART TIME STAFF
Claudia Chavez
Claudia Chavez is the Director of Youth Programs and Mental Health and Wellness Coordinator for Ciudad Nueva. She is a native of El Paso and grew up in Central El Paso.
In order to pursue her degrees, Claudia moved to San Antonio, Texas. She attended St. Mary’s University where she actively participated in Campus Ministry and the President’s Peace Commission. While completing her degree, she volunteered with The Visitation House and Proyecto Hospitalidad. Claudia engaged in an independent study with Patricia Owen, PhD. focused on working with students identified as “at risk” due to their family’s economic, or social stressors. She graduated from St. Mary’s with a BA in Psychology and Minor in Art. Between degrees, she worked for a children’s home where she served as a child care worker and later the Therapeutic Art Program Director.
Claudia completed her MS in Counseling Psychology from Our Lady of the Lake University. She spent six years with a non-profit organization providing services for children and their families, then worked with a private practice providing counseling for elders and children. She worked as a Parental Engagement Leader, then joined the Ciudad Nueva team. Claudia also leads a Community Art Program with Ciudad Nueva.
She has spent her career serving others, working alongside them to help them move toward their best quality of life.
In order to pursue her degrees, Claudia moved to San Antonio, Texas. She attended St. Mary’s University where she actively participated in Campus Ministry and the President’s Peace Commission. While completing her degree, she volunteered with The Visitation House and Proyecto Hospitalidad. Claudia engaged in an independent study with Patricia Owen, PhD. focused on working with students identified as “at risk” due to their family’s economic, or social stressors. She graduated from St. Mary’s with a BA in Psychology and Minor in Art. Between degrees, she worked for a children’s home where she served as a child care worker and later the Therapeutic Art Program Director.
Claudia completed her MS in Counseling Psychology from Our Lady of the Lake University. She spent six years with a non-profit organization providing services for children and their families, then worked with a private practice providing counseling for elders and children. She worked as a Parental Engagement Leader, then joined the Ciudad Nueva team. Claudia also leads a Community Art Program with Ciudad Nueva.
She has spent her career serving others, working alongside them to help them move toward their best quality of life.
Abby Carl Klassen
Abby Carl Klassen is the Director of Grants & Institutional Giving. She is a writer, poet, educator, translator and researcher who has worked in a variety of public, private, and community development settings in the United States and Latin America. She grew up in rural west Texas where oil meets agriculture. She moved to El Paso in 2003 and lived there until 2014 when she and her husband Jonathan moved to rural Appalachia to pursue regenerative agriculture. During her years in El Paso, Abigail earned a BA in Literature and an MFA in Bilingual Creative Writing, worked for InterVarsity, the El Paso Public Schools, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso Community College and Ciudad Nueva, facilitated community development immersions in Albuquerque and Mexico City and participated in borderland arts, peacemaking, and advocacy efforts.
From 2014 to 2019 Abby and Jonathan worked seasonally in agriculture and traveled, trekked, volunteered, and did research across the U.S., Mexico, and Central America.
In 2020, they were drawn back to El Paso-Juárez’s welcoming and dynamic community and are excited for opportunities to participate in local arts, justice, and advocacy initiatives and to enjoy the mountains of Texas and New Mexico.
From 2014 to 2019 Abby and Jonathan worked seasonally in agriculture and traveled, trekked, volunteered, and did research across the U.S., Mexico, and Central America.
In 2020, they were drawn back to El Paso-Juárez’s welcoming and dynamic community and are excited for opportunities to participate in local arts, justice, and advocacy initiatives and to enjoy the mountains of Texas and New Mexico.
Maria Gutierrez
Meet Maria Gutierrez. One of her most significant accomplishments was attending school and earning a higher education. During her education and internship placements, she had the opportunity to work and help people from different backgrounds and gain experience in her career in social work. She started at El Paso Community College studying English as a Second Language. Then, she earned her Associate of Arts at EPCC. After that, she transferred to UTEP to become a social worker and got her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. During her undergraduate years, she developed skills and the need to help others. In her practicum site, she became more aware of the population’s needs, such as housing, food, etc. She learned how to connect people in need to services in the community through assessments and gain trust from the clients. She completed her graduate degree and joined us as a part-time community connector. Maria has a diverse background and brings much knowledge and expertise to our team. Her life and educational experiences have helped her become more confident, competent, ethical, and professional in her social work career.
Christopher Sepulveda
Christopher Sepulveda: Launch Pad Coordinator
Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, Christopher Sepulveda has dedicated his life to making a positive impact in his community. He attended The University of Texas at El Paso and studied Psychology with a concentration in Clinical Psychology, where he developed a deep passion for youth development and community engagement. Christopher has significant experience in youth development and behavior support. He developed and delivered educational workshops for youth, collaborated with local schools and community centers, and mentored young individuals, fostering growth and self-confidence through Teen Survivor. Additionally, he implemented behavior plans as a Registered Behavior Technician and led member retention efforts as Vice President of Alpha Sigma Phi. Christopher’s passion for his work at Ciudad Nueva stems from his personal experiences and his desire to give back to the community that raised him.
Sofia Quinones Segovia
Sofia Quinones Segovia: Adult Programs Assistant
Sofia Quinones was born and raised in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. She moved to El Paso in 2015 and became a U.S. citizen. Sofia completed an associate’s degree in psychology at El Paso Community College. She is currently a student at UTEP in social work with a minor in sociology. As a senior at UTEP studying social work, Sofia knows how valuable real-world experience is in enhancing her academic background. Working in environmental policy emphasizing sustainable development is her career path. Ciudad Nueva will truly empower Sofia since it provides an opportunity to put theoretical knowledge to use in a practical environment. Ciudad Nueva offers the opportunity to gain knowledge from experienced professionals who can offer valuable guidance and mentoring. Learning about the unique aspects of environmental policy work, including its best practices and obstacles, motivates Sofia.
Stephanie Ramirez
Stephanie Ramirez: Office Manager
Stephanie Ramirez serves as the Office Manager at Ciudad Nueva. She was born and raised in El Paso, Texas, and attended Montwood High School. Stephanie brings strong administrative skills and a compassionate heart to her role. She thrives in environments where she can support the organization’s mission of making a difference in the community and takes pride in ensuring the organization runs smoothly behind the scenes.
Her caring and loving personality shines through in her daily interactions, not only with her team but also with the individuals and families the organization helps. Stephanie finds joy in getting to know the people she serves and being part of their journey toward a better future. Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with loved ones, as her kids are her world. She also loves staying connected to the community, believing God brought her to Ciudad Nueva with a purpose, which she is loving as she gets to know the community more and more.
Deborah Ledesma
Deborah Ledesma: MSW Intern, NMSU
Deborah Ledesma is a U.S Air Force veteran and a master’s student in Social Work at New Mexico State University with a passion for serving veterans, children and underserved communities in New Mexico and Texas. Born and raised in the Southwest, she brings a deep understanding of cross-cultural interactions, immigration issues, and the unique challenges faced by border communities. Her professional and academic journey has focused on trauma-informed care, housing insecurity, reproductive rights and access to mental health services for Native and veteran populations. At Ciudad Nueva, she is especially drawn to youth empowerment and community development, finding purpose in helping young people discover their strengths and thrive despite adversity.
Deborah’s work is grounded in social work values of justice, dignity, and the importance of human relationships. She is driven by the belief that change happens through challenging inequities while creating spaces of safety and belonging. When not working or studying, she enjoys reflecting through writing, connecting with her faith, being active playing pickleball and spending time with her family.
Saul Gutierrez
Saul Gutierrez: BSW Intern, UTEP
Saul Gutierrez was born and raised in El Paso and is currently an undergraduate student at the University of Texas at El Paso, majoring in Social Work. He has extensive experience working with youth as a collegiate mentor at El Paso High and has delivered presentations to students from kindergarten through 12th grade across El Paso and surrounding areas, promoting the value of higher education.
Saul’s motivation for working with Ciudad Nueva stems from his passion for community-driven organizations. He aspires to continue uplifting communities by focusing on their strengths rather than their deficits, a perspective he hopes to carry into his future career in social work. At Ciudad Nueva, Saul finds meaning in supporting personal growth and witnessing the positive changes in the students he mentors.
Beyond his professional and academic pursuits, Saul enjoys staying active by going to the gym and training in mixed martial arts.
Juan Duran
Juan Duran: Kids Create Coordinator
Juan Duran is the Kids Create Coordinator for middle school students at Ciudad Nueva. Born in Las Cruces, New Mexico and raised in El Paso, Texas, he is deeply connected to the borderland community he serves. Juan graduated from Eastwood High School in 2021 and earned his undergraduate degree from Wilmington University in 2025. He is currently pursuing his master’s degree at the University of Texas at El Paso.
Juan began his journey with Ciudad Nueva as a volunteer in the Launch Pad program, working with elementary school students before transitioning into a permanent role. He enjoys the active, hands-on nature of working with middle schoolers and is motivated by building meaningful relationships and supporting youth growth. Outside of work, Juan enjoys reading, watching sports, playing video games, and collecting records.
Juan began his journey with Ciudad Nueva as a volunteer in the Launch Pad program, working with elementary school students before transitioning into a permanent role. He enjoys the active, hands-on nature of working with middle schoolers and is motivated by building meaningful relationships and supporting youth growth. Outside of work, Juan enjoys reading, watching sports, playing video games, and collecting records.
Michelle Gardea
Michelle Gardea: MSW Intern, NMSU
Michelle Gardea was born in El Paso, Texas, and raised between El Paso and Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, an experience that shaped her deep understanding of border communities and immigrant families. She earned her Bachelor of Social Work from New Mexico State University and is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work at NMSU. Through her academic training and internship experience in case management, Michelle has supported individuals from diverse backgrounds in working toward self-sufficiency and personal growth. Growing up immersed in the Hispanic community and witnessing the challenges faced by immigrant families first hand has strongly influenced her commitment to social work. Michelle is motivated by the opportunity to help young people recognize their own strength and potential, supporting them as they take steps to create brighter futures for themselves. Being part of a community that encourages growth, resilience, and possibility inspires her and strengthens her dedication to this work. Outside of work and school, she enjoys staying active, working on creative projects, and staying connected to her faith.
Ana Marie Cano
Ana Marie Cano: Communications Coordinator
Ana Marie Cano is Ciudad Nueva’s Communications Coordinator and a graphic designer who turns ideas into purposeful visual stories. With 10+ years of experience in branding and strategic design, she creates bold identities, thoughtful layouts, and multi-platform visuals that connect people to ideas. A UTEP-trained designer, Ana blends creativity, strategy, and heart to bring concepts to life—from first sketch to final execution.
As an El Paso native, she has seen firsthand the unique multicultural influence of living in a border city and recognizes the importance of cultural awareness and clear communication as ways to serve others with intention and care. Cuida Nueva’s heart for compassion and empowerment in her own neighborhood inspired her to join the team.
As an El Paso native, she has seen firsthand the unique multicultural influence of living in a border city and recognizes the importance of cultural awareness and clear communication as ways to serve others with intention and care. Cuida Nueva’s heart for compassion and empowerment in her own neighborhood inspired her to join the team.
AFFILIATED ROLES
Gary Enge
