Meet the Current Class
Class 17
Cheylin Atcitty
Cherylin Atcitty, a proud member of the Navajo Nation, hails from Bodaway/Gap, Arizona. She is from the Honaghaahnii (One Who Walks Around) clan and born for the Tl'aashchi'I (Red Bottom People) clan. Cherylin currently serves as the Director of Indian Resources Development (IRD) in the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences (ACES) at New Mexico State University. The favorite aspect of her role is knowing that IRD is working to inspire young minds and cultivate future tribal leaders.
Cherylin and her husband, Delane Atcitty, call the beautiful community of Taos Pueblo, in northern New Mexico, home. When she is not working, she learns from stories that her mother shares in the Navajo language about how their ancestors managed the land and cared for animals in Northern Arizona. These long conversations not only strengthen her connection to her heritage but also inspire her work in promoting sustainable practices and cultural preservation in agriculture.
Passionate about giving back, Cherylin volunteers actively in her community to foster cultural awareness, economic development, and natural resource management. She is looking forward to participating in a collaborative team environment at New Mexico Agriculture Leadership program to exemplify the essence of leadershipp.
Marissa Diles
Marissa moved to New Mexico in 2023 to begin her career in ag lending as a loan officer with AgTrust Farm Credit in Roswell. Originally from D’Hanis, Texas where she grew up on a cattle ranch, she has always been passionate about agriculture and helping growers and ranchers. Her favorite part of her job is building relationships with her borrowers and getting to learn the ins and outs of their operations. Marissa earned her Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Applied Economics from Texas Tech University in 2021. Marissa is involved with various organizations that support the agriculture industry including being in the Linda Davis Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Academy, through New Mexico Cattle Growers, and a member of The New Mexico Junior Livestock Foundation. She also enjoys supporting youth in agriculture by attending various livestock shows and sales and volunteering to judge the New Mexico State public speaking contests at various fairs throughout the state. In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with friends, spending time on the golf course, and playing pickleball. Marissa is excited to be a party of class 17 and to have the opportunity to learn more about the diverse ag industry in New Mexico and grow her network within the state.
Anthony Colin
Anthony Colin is a Natural Resource Policy/Planning Analyst for the New Mexico Department of Agriculture. Having joined NMDA in 2022, Anthony has enjoyed applying his Agronomic and Horticultural background to the myriad policy issues facing New Mexican Agriculture. In particular, he has enjoyed that the position involves constant exposure to new and complex subjects, always pushing him to learn and grow. In his free time, Anthony enjoys hiking, cooking, and playing videogames with his girlfriend. For Class 17, Anthony is most excited by NMAL’s promise to provide a clear roadmap to sustained leadership skill development. Anthony holds a B.Sc. in Agronomy and Horticulture from NMSU, and an M.Sc. in Agronomy from Penn State. Anthony is genuinely excited to be exposed to new ideas and worldviews, and practice interacting with folks with diverse ideological dispositions.
Yesenia Palma
Yesenia Palma is an experienced professional with a strong background in human resources, leadership, and higher education administration. She holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix and a BA in Human Resources and Leadership Management from New Mexico State University. Currently serving as Chief of Staff for the Dean at NMSU’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, Yesenia focuses on promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives while streamlining operational efficiency. Fluent in both Spanish and English, she is an effective communicator and dedicated mentor. Yesenia has held roles as an HR consultant, senior HR specialist, and general manager, demonstrating her ability to adapt and lead across various industries. She holds multiple certifications (CHRS, CoS, FMLA) and is currently pursuing a Doctorate degree at NMSU, reflecting her commitment to continuous learning and innovative problem-solving.
Michael Purdy
Michael Purdy is a Soil and Water Conservation District Specialist for the Agricultural Programs and Resources Division of the New Mexico Department of Agriculture. Michael began his career with NMDA in May of 2023 and enjoys working with farmers, ranchers and agricultural leaders to conserve our states natural resources and promote the agricultural industry. He comes from a ranching family in Northern New Mexico and grew up showing livestock in 4-H. Michael attended New Mexico State University where he received a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics and Business, and a master’s degree in Agriculture with a specialization in Agribusiness. In his downtime, Michael enjoys spending time with his fiancée, hunting, flyfishing, hiking and doing anything outdoors. He is most excited about the chance to networkwith individuals who work in agriculture and apply the skills he learns to benefit the agricultural industry.
Aaron Romero
Aaron Romero works as a portfolio analyst for American AgCredit with his primary responsibility to include monitoring the financial performance of Association members farm and ranch operations located within the State of New Mexico. Aaron understands that the landscape of agriculture is continuously changing and many farm and ranch operations are often challenged by various external trends. As an employee of a farm credit association, Aaron is proud to have a purpose of sustainably supporting NM agriculture which plays a key role in food security and benefits the lives of all Americans. Aaron earned a B.A. Degree in Business Administration from Eastern New Mexico University and also graduated from the Western States School of Banking at Fort Lewis College. Aaron is honored to be a participant of the NM Ag Leadership program and feels it is a great opportunity in his personal and professional development journey. He is looking forward to the meaningful discussions with classmates, networking opportunities, additional involvement within the farming community and traveling abroad.