Meet Our Management
VERONICA MONTAÑO-PILCH
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Veronica has been part of CASA for the last 27 years. She started out as a volunteer in Bernalillo County then became the director of the CASA program in Sandoval County. From there she went to work for the National CASA Association for 7 years. She has been the Director of New Mexico Kids matter for the last 8 years. She proudly calls herself a ‘lifer”- someone devoted to the CASA mission of serving kids who are in foster care.
To unwind she enjoys playing fetch with our Court Dogs Cassie and Nicole since they both live with her.
vmontanopilch@nmkidsmatter.org || (505) 903-0305 x122
SHANNON ECKERT
CASA Program Director
Shannon has been with New Mexico Kids Matter since August 2008. Her background is in Business Management and Elementary Education. She is passionate about children and their education.
“I think educating children so that they can grow into happy, healthy, and productive adults is something everyone in a child’s community can contribute to and have an impact.”
seckert@nmkidsmatter.org || (505) 903-0305 x120
MICHELLE GONZALEZ
COMPASS Program Manager
Michelle has worked with New Mexico Kids Matter for over two years. She graduated from Highlands University with a Master’s in Social Work. In her spare time, she likes to play indoor and outdoor soccer. She enjoys spending time with my family, friends, and her dog Cupcake.
“I enjoy working for New Mexico Kids Matter. While working for this amazing organization I have been able to watch the advocates make huge impacts on their case.”
mgonzalez@nmkidsmatter.org || (505) 903-0305 x118
ELIZABETH NIEWOEHNER
STAR Program Manager
Elizabeth has been with New Mexico Kids Matter since 2018. After witnessing the trauma children can experience, she knew she wanted to help. Through her work with the CASA program as an intern, CASA, Advocate Coach, and STAR Program Manager, she has seen the difference a CASA can make in a child’s life and in their legal case. When she is not working, she attends UNM to earn her Masters in Family and Child Studies. She also loves spending time with her family, friends, and pets.
eniewoehner@nmkidsmatter.org || (505) 903-0305 x116
AMANDA GALLEGOS
Advocate Manager
Amanda has been with New Mexico Kids Matter since 2019. She has an extensive background in Case Management, specifically in the field of domestic violence. When she is not working, she enjoys spending my time with her fiance and their 5 children. Amanda loves working with children and she is happy to be a part of the CASA organization.
agallegos@nmkidsmatter.org || (505) 903-0305 x110
CASA is not your typical volunteer role.
That’s okay. We're not looking for typical volunteers.
