Director of Animal Welfare

Carolyn Ortega comes to the City with a wealth of knowledge on operations and fiscal management, as well as program development and planning. Carolyn has overseen the operations and development of the Atrisco Companies for the last 13 years as the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operations Officer and the Executive Director. During that time, she increased the number of companies in the enterprise to seven, implemented new programs, and expanded the staff from only a handful of staff to about 200.

Carolyn received a Bachelor’s of Science in Business and Accounting at the University of Phoenix. She is also an Emerging Leaders Graduate of the U.S. Small Business Association. Among Carolyn’s long list of accomplishments are receiving the Catholic Charities “Simon of Cyrene” Award for Community Involvement in Education in 2017, the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce “President’s Award” for Excellence in Education in 2014, University of Phoenix Alumni Community Service Award in 2012, and the “Women of Influence” Award by New Mexico Business Weekly in 2012. She is an original incorporator and former board member of the New Mexico Chapter of the ALS Association, and has served on the boards of the National Hispanic Cultural Center and WESST.

Carolyn is a lifelong resident of New Mexico. She currently lives in Los Lunas and is a proud pet parent of 4 dogs, 5 cats, 2 pigs, a goat, a lamb, 2 chickens and 2 rabbits. Carolyn married her college sweetheart after reconnecting 13 years later. She has 3 adult children (1 set of twins) and 5 beautiful grandchildren. Carolyn enjoys spending time with her 2 legged and 4 legged family and playing softball when time permits. Played in the 2019 Senior Games. 

“It is an honor to have the opportunity to carry on the great work that Animal Welfare Department does in the community. This position allows me to blend my passion for animals with my professional experience and strengths,” states Carolyn Ortega. “I am delighted to work with all the caring and generous individuals that make up this important organization and I am confident that together we will continue to provide excellent care and services to the animals and citizens of Albuquerque.”