2025 Lujan Awards Winners: Biographies

 

Reena Szczepanski

Rep. Reena Szczepanski is the majority floor Leader and represents District 47 in Santa Fe. Elected in 2022, she is the first Asian American to serve in legislative leadership in New Mexico. A long-time public health advocate, Reena has led efforts on reproductive rights, harm reduction, economic justice, and climate action. She previously directed Emerge New Mexico and the Drug Policy Alliance and has spent her career fighting for equity and opportunity across the state.

Billie Blair

Was editor and associate publisher of the Santa Fe New Mexican, publisher of The Taos News and executive director of the Santa Fe Community Foundation. She recently received the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government lifetime achievement award for advocacy for government transparency. Following her retirement, she became active in the party, and since 2022 she has chaired DPSFC’s Communications Team.

John Grover

Was a Quaker minister and director of community social programs. He and his late wife Joel Faye Benner founded  Coldwel Banker Trails West Realty after moving to Santa Fe in 1979. He was introduced to the county party by his daughter, Jonnalyn, a DPSFC volunteer. He runs the headquarters office two days a week, helping the public and other volunteers, greeting all with kindness and a smile. 

Willie Marquez

Willie built a life marked by hard work, integrity and a deep commitment to his community. Later in life, Willie brought his leadership and entrepreneurial spirit to public service when he moved to Santa Fe from Las Cruces and served as director of the Corrections Industry Division for the  New Mexico Corrections Department. In this role, he worked to create opportunities and meaningful programs within the corrections system, always believing in the value of second chances and the powerful or purposeful work.