Employee Contact List

Internal Audit contact information

Employee Bios

Marisa C. Vargas, Internal Audit Manager

Marisa brings 20 years of comprehensive assurance and consulting experience, with a specialized focus on the non-profit and government sectors. She began her career as an Internal Auditor at New Mexico Student Loans, where she conducted compliance and performance audits. Marisa then joined Sandia National Laboratories, where she advanced through various roles over a decade, culminating in her position as Audit Supervisor for six years. During her tenure at Sandia, she distinguished herself as a Contract Auditor, Internal Auditor, and a trusted leader in the audit function.

Marisa’s leadership extends beyond her professional roles; she served as Chapter President of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Albuquerque Chapter for six years, and she currently holds the position of Past President on the Chapter Board. Her dedication to the profession is matched by her academic achievements—she holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and economics and a master’s in accounting, both from the University of New Mexico.

Marisa's expertise is further demonstrated by her certifications as a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certified Internal Controls Auditor (CICA), and her completion of the IIA’s IT General Controls Program. She was later hired by the City of Albuquerque as a Contract Auditor and her performance led to her current role as the Internal Audit Manager.

Vanessa Meske, Lead Auditor

Vanessa possesses over seven years of specialized experience in auditing and investigations, combining her academic background with practical expertise. While pursuing her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and her master’s in business administration, Vanessa gained valuable experience working at a tribal casino, where she honed her skills in surveillance, risk management, and auditing over a four-year period.

Her career progressed as she joined MGM Resorts International as an Internal Auditor, where she conducted Title 31 compliance audits across 15 MGM properties, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards in a high-stakes environment.

Vanessa’s commitment to the auditing profession is reflected in her role as Vice President of Programs on the IIA Albuquerque Chapter Board and her attainment of the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) credential and Certified Internal Controls Auditor (CICA). She was initially hired as a Principal Auditor with the Office of Internal Audit, where her strong performance led to her promotion to Lead Auditor.

Connie Barros-Montoya, Principal Auditor 

Connie brings 24 years of extensive experience in financial services, lending, customer service, and collections within the private sector. She also has 6 years of specialized experience with the State of New Mexico's Taxation and Revenue Department, where she served as an auditor for the International Fuel Tax Association (IFTA), the International Registration Program (IRP), and the Weight Distance Tax (WDT) programs. Connie joined the City of Albuquerque in 2019 as a Staff Auditor and has since been promoted to Principal Auditor. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business with a minor in accounting from the University of Phoenix. Her professional development includes an IT General Controls Certificate (May 2023), a Certified Internal Controls Auditor designation (September 2023), and an Internal Audit Practitioner certification (May 2024).

Leslie Rendon, Staff Auditor

Leslie has dedicated over 13 years of service to the City of Albuquerque, contributing in various roles across multiple departments. She began her career at the Cultural Services Department’s Albuquerque Museum of Art and History, and later worked at the Albuquerque Police Department, the Planning Department, and the Department of Municipal Development. In June 2022, Leslie joined the Office of Internal Audit (OIA) as a Staff Auditor, after serving as the Administrative Coordinator for both the OIA and the Office of Inspector General (OIG) for over two years.

Leslie holds an Associate’s degree in Integrated Studies from Central New Mexico Community College. In May 2023, she earned an IT General Controls Certificate. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in General Business at New Mexico State University.  In September 2024, Leslie earned her Certified Government Responsible Auditor (CGRA) certification.

Stacy Martin, Staff Auditor

Stacy brings over 25 years of diverse experience in finance, lending, servicing, fraud detection, collections, mortgage services, and customer service within the private sector. She holds a bachelor's degree in financial management, an MBA in accounting, and a dual master's degree in management from National American University. Stacy joined the City as a Staff Auditor in October 2021, and recently, in May 2023, she earned an IT General Controls Certificate, further expanding her expertise in the field.