LORI L. ORTEGA
Summary
Dynamic labor union leader with extensive experience in executive leadership and management. Skilled at navigating challenges and utilizing problem-solving skills to proactively tackle new tasks. Recognized for adaptability, creativity, and a results-oriented mindset. Committed to making meaningful contributions and advancing organizational goals.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Executive Director
National Education Association-New Mexico (NEA-NM)
11.2022 - Current
- Works closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy.
- Forge strong relationships with board members, providing regular updates on organizational progress and soliciting their expertise when needed.
- Oversees financial management, ensuring fiscal responsibility and long-term sustainability for the organization.
- Guide staff through periods of organizational change, maintaining morale and engagement during transitions. Foster a collaborative work environment for increased growth.
- Monitor compliance with laws and regulations to protect organization from legal liabilities and penalties.
- Promotes a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging professional development opportunities for staff members.
- Develop strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to expand the organization''s reach and influence.
- Drove strategic improvements to enhance operational and organizational efficiencies.
- Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts within the organization to create a more inclusive work environment.
- Aligns vision, mission, and goals, with the organizations strategy to achieve consistently high results.
- Increase organizational efficiency by streamlining processes and implementing new systems.
- Evaluate program outcomes using data-driven metrics, identifying areas for improvement and implementing targeted interventions.
- Develop and implement organizational strategies to achieve set goals and objectives and secured long-term success.
- Foster culture of continuous improvement, introducing regular feedback mechanisms for staff and members.
Organizational Consultant
Arizona Education Association-Arizona (AEA)
01.2017 - 11.2022
- Through strategic organizing tactics and building relationships increased membership in region by more than 50%.
- Responsible for the organizing and advocacy of union members across eight local unions.
- Develop and train members at statewide bargaining conference; research and prepare locals for 'meet and confer.'
- Public Policy team- developed plan for four statewide gubernatorial town halls to bring awareness of candidates to members.
- Identified political member-activists and developed political train-the-trainer 'boot camp' program.
- Collaborated with members, AEA, Arizona Educators United (AEU), and National Education Association (NEA) in preparation and management of largest educator's strike in the country.
- Campaign leadership team for public education funding ballot initiative known as InvestinEd. Wrote field plan for ballot initiative signature gathering campaign which resulted in 270,000 petition signatures, therefore qualifying for the November 2018 ballot
- Directed locals to identify local candidates for school board races, including guiding them on preparing candidate questionnaires; coaching on how to conduct candidate interviews and endorse; then prepared lists and materials for field program to win elections.
- Conducted strategic planning sessions with locals to build membership and capacity
- Hold trainings across state and in region to increase participation, build capacity, and grow leadership in locals.
UniServ Director/Organizer
National Education Association-New Mexico (NEA-NM)
01.2016 - 12.2016
- Assisted union leaders in developing and implementing strategic plans for organizational growth and long-term success.
- Managed and directed two successful external organizing campaigns, for two new locals while simultaneously targeting and managing internal organizing campaigns throughout the state.
- Successfully identified and developed new members and activists to take leadership roles.
- Developed and managed workshops and trainings for statewide organizing institute to develop members as member organizers.
Organizational Specialist, Campaigns and Elections
National Education Association (NEA)
04.2015 - 03.2016
- Worked with locals to build capacity and skills for electoral campaigns and legislative session.
- Developed legislative town hall model to bring legislators together with members during legislative session to keep elected officials accountable for working family policies.
- Planned, developed, and organized legislative activities with members in various locals throughout the state. Served as the member organizer during legislative session and interim session.
Legislative and Political Coordinator
National Education Association-New Mexico (NEA-NM)
01.2015 - 03.2015
- Directed the legislative field campaign during the state legislative session to stop right-to-work and other egregious anti-worker, anti-education legislation
- Coordinated rallies, lobby days, town hall meetings, phone banks, and letter writing campaigns with the rank- and-file members, legislators, labor partners, and community allies
- Participated in statewide 'Labor Table.'
Western Region Director
National AFL-CIO
01.2010 - 12.2014
- Developed relationships and worked with national union vice presidents, board of directors, state, and local labor councils to further the strategic mission, vision, goals, and programmatic work of the national enterprise.
- Assisted union leaders in developing and implementing strategic plans for organizational growth and long-term success.
- Successfully Managed, developed, and directed professional and support staff throughout 13-state region
- Managed a multi-million-dollar budget including the disbursement of grants to state and local labor councils
- Responsible for managing and directing National AFL-CIO's campaigns with state, area, and local labor councils to build capacity, communications, and mobilization for programs in 13 Western states
- Built relationships within AFL-CIO affiliates, constituency groups and community groups to further the AFL-CIO's working families' agenda.
- Developed and directed strategic planning sessions with board members, staff, and elected national union officers to grow and strengthen their organizations
- Developed programs to recruit, train, and retain a year-round volunteer base
- Took leadership of and managed organizations-at-risk including staffing, budgeting, and building the organization back to a level of autonomy
- Continually assessed the ongoing work of state and local labor bodies to recommend and assist ways to improve their capacity
- Collaborated with stakeholders to problem solve and trouble-shoot issues
- Hosted yearly regional conference to foster relationships throughout thirteen state region
- Strengthened partnerships with key stakeholders through consistent collaboration and relationship management.
Political Action Representative III
AFSCME International
01.2005 - 12.2010
- Managed labor, independent expenditure, non-partisan, ballot initiative, candidate, and issue campaigns at the local, state, and federal level
- Developed strategic plans, wrote, and managed budgets, field programs, earned and paid media, and GOTV activities
- Campaign lead in ten states during the 2007/2008 presidential electoral primary and general election campaigns, responsible for managing and directing both union staff and members
- Directed AFSCME healthcare reform campaign (Healthcare for America Now) in Connecticut and Pennsylvania, educating and engaging membership in local meetings, worksite visits, canvasses, and phone banks
- Developed and conducted member trainings, workshops, and conferences
- Researched and prepared reports pertaining to federal candidates, legislation, campaigns, and activities effecting members
- Worked with coalition groups to move programs forward at the state and federal level
- Developed and implemented fundraising programs for AFSCME PAC and trained local leadership on political and legislative agenda
- Assisted affiliates with lobby efforts at the state level
Education
Bachelor of Liberal Arts -
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NMSkills
- Strategic Relationship Cultivation
- Public Engagement Strategies
- Program management
- Team Leadership
- Strategic planning
- Budget Development
- Operational Efficiency Management
- Staff management
- Innovation and creativity
- Government relations
- Effective Negotiation Skills
Certification
Leadership Essentials Certificate, 2025
Wurf Fellow, Harvard Trade Union Program, 2004
Timeline
Executive Director
National Education Association-New Mexico (NEA-NM)
11.2022 - Current
Organizational Consultant
Arizona Education Association-Arizona (AEA)
01.2017 - 11.2022
UniServ Director/Organizer
National Education Association-New Mexico (NEA-NM)
01.2016 - 12.2016
Organizational Specialist, Campaigns and Elections
National Education Association (NEA)
04.2015 - 03.2016
Legislative and Political Coordinator
National Education Association-New Mexico (NEA-NM)
01.2015 - 03.2015
Western Region Director
National AFL-CIO
01.2010 - 12.2014
Political Action Representative III
AFSCME International
01.2005 - 12.2010
Bachelor of Liberal Arts -
University of New Mexico
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