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
Gary Enge:
Volunteer Admin Support
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
Gabriela Ortiz: Community Connector
Ana Gonzalez: LCSW Candidate
Christian Salas: LCSW Candidate
Raina Koller: LCSW Candidate
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.
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.
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.
Gabriela Ortiz
Gabriela Ortiz: Community Connector
Gabriela Nathaly Ortiz Hernández is a Community Connector at Ciudad Nueva in El Paso, Texas. Born and raised in San Cristóbal, Estado Táchira, Venezuela, she holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Administration with a concentration in Human Resources. Gabriela brings extensive experience in recruitment and workforce development, with a strong focus on immigrant communities. In Chile, she worked in recruitment and selection supporting migrant workers, and in the United States she has continued connecting immigrant job seekers with employment opportunities and essential resources. She has also supported immigrant families through nonprofit initiatives, facilitating access to services that strengthen their integration and long-term stability. She has contributed to academic research focused on immigrant communities in the U.S.–Mexico border region. Her work is driven by a commitment to expanding equitable access to employment, information, and community support for newcomers. At Ciudad Nueva, she is motivated by the opportunity to help build pathways toward stability, belonging, and long-term opportunity.
Ana Gonzalez
Ana Gonzalez: LCSW Candidate
Ana Gonzalez is a licensed master social worker (LMSW). She was born and raised in Socorro on the outskirts of El Paso. Ana attended Socorro High School, graduated in 2005 and completed her bachelor’s degree in 2011 and masters in 2018 at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). She completed her internship working with children for 2 years at Elementary schools and 1 year at Child Protective Services. Ana’s interest was working with children, but it wasn’t until after she graduated with her master’s degree that she suffered a great loss and struggled with depression and anxiety. This led her to become more interested in mental health and helping those who, like her, struggled every day. Ana knew choosing to complete her clinical hours at Ciudad Nueva was where she needed to be. Her mother was a single mother who worked tirelessly for the family just like women who attend Ciudad Nueva. Ana identifies with their struggles and understands the culture, especially when it comes to mental health. She wants to provide this community with a listening ear, compassion, and a safe space free of judgment. Ana’s goal at Ciudad Nueva is to help those who are struggling with mental health issues and hopefully make a difference in their lives.
Christian Salas
Christian Salas: LCSW Candidate
Christian Salas, LMSW, is a licensed social worker in Texas and New Mexico and serves as an Associate Professor of Social Work at El Paso Community College (EPCC). A graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso’s BSW and MSW programs and Burges High School, he was born and raised in the El Paso/Ciudad Juárez region and is bilingual in Spanish and English. Prior to entering academia, he worked as a clinical therapist providing mental health and substance abuse treatment to children, adults, and federal pretrial and probation clients.
Christian remains deeply engaged in community leadership and service. He serves on the Family Service of El Paso Board, the El Paso Collaborative Board, and as a NASW-Texas State Board Representative. He is Chair of the UTEP Department of Social Work Advisory Board and serves on the UTEP College of Health Sciences Advisory Board. At EPCC, he contributes to the Mental Health Committee, Minding College Minds, the Behavioral Intervention Triage Team, and the Critical Incident Response Team. He is also a certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor, committed to advancing mental health awareness, equity, and community well-being. A frequent presenter at local, state, and national conferences, Christian serves as a keynote speaker and subject matter expert on topics related to mental health, substance use and abuse, teaching, and advocacy, sharing practical strategies and culturally responsive approaches with diverse audiences.
He joins the Ciudad Nueva community to complete his required direct clinical hours in pursuit of his Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensure as part of a University of Texas at El Paso Social Work LCSW supervision program designed to increase the number of LCSW-level practitioners in the region. Under the supervision of Dr. Viridiana Ortiz, PhD, LCSW-S, he offers individual, family, and group therapy services at no cost to clients. He deeply values working with this population—many of whom might not otherwise have access to care—and is profoundly grateful to the staff and community for the warm welcome and opportunity to serve.
Christian remains deeply engaged in community leadership and service. He serves on the Family Service of El Paso Board, the El Paso Collaborative Board, and as a NASW-Texas State Board Representative. He is Chair of the UTEP Department of Social Work Advisory Board and serves on the UTEP College of Health Sciences Advisory Board. At EPCC, he contributes to the Mental Health Committee, Minding College Minds, the Behavioral Intervention Triage Team, and the Critical Incident Response Team. He is also a certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor, committed to advancing mental health awareness, equity, and community well-being. A frequent presenter at local, state, and national conferences, Christian serves as a keynote speaker and subject matter expert on topics related to mental health, substance use and abuse, teaching, and advocacy, sharing practical strategies and culturally responsive approaches with diverse audiences.
He joins the Ciudad Nueva community to complete his required direct clinical hours in pursuit of his Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensure as part of a University of Texas at El Paso Social Work LCSW supervision program designed to increase the number of LCSW-level practitioners in the region. Under the supervision of Dr. Viridiana Ortiz, PhD, LCSW-S, he offers individual, family, and group therapy services at no cost to clients. He deeply values working with this population—many of whom might not otherwise have access to care—and is profoundly grateful to the staff and community for the warm welcome and opportunity to serve.
Raina Koller
Raina Koller: LCSW Candidate
Raina Koller was born in Tucson, AZ and raised in Houston, TX. She has lived in El Paso, TX since 2016 and received her Master of Social Work from the University of Texas at El Paso in 2018. She has worked as a Licensed Master Social Worker with the El Paso County Public Defender’s Office for the past seven years, and is passionate about helping those with mental health issues who are involved in the criminal justice system. Raina is currently working towards her clinical social work license and is providing pro-bono therapy services to individuals at Ciudad Nueva. She loves Ciudad Nueva’s community-centered mission and is grateful to be a small part of the work that they do. In her free time, Raina enjoys hiking, reading, and trying new foods around the city.
AFFILIATED ROLES
Gary Enge
