Community Leadership Council
SOMOS ABQ Community Leadership Council
Co-Coordinators
Christopher Brennan, Hospitality & Logistics Coordinator
Gabriela Estala-Lopez, Community & Families Coordinator
Edgar Hernandez Gutierrez, Special Projects & Outreach Coordinator
Amy Maestas, Artistic & Experience Coordinator
Nell Pierce, Musical & Performing Arts Coordinator
Maurizio Romero, Partnerships & Sponsorships Coordinator
Evan Wrons, Communications & Media Coordinator
Tucker Yates, Operations & Production Coordinator
Site Co-Coordinators
Monique Chavez, Festival Site Coordinator
Arlana Gottwald, Festival Guest Services Coordinator
Co-Directors
Cailyn Kilcup, Experience Director
Julia Mandeville, Artistic Director
Chris Schroeder, Development Director
David Silverman, Managing Director
Jesus (Zeus) Zamora, Creative Director
SOMOS ABQ Co-Founders
Cailyn Kilcup, Julia Mandeville, Stephen Segura, Chris Schroeder, David Silverman
Co-Coordinators
Christopher Brennan, Hospitality & Logistics Coordinator
Christopher Brennan grew up in Downtown Albuquerque and has a passion for our community. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame in Peace Studies and served in the Peace Corps in Nicaragua from 2011-2014. In the spring of 2023 he received his Executive MBA from the University of New Mexico. He has worked in healthcare workforce development for over a decade and currently works for the New Mexico Primary Care Association as the Workforce Coordinator.
Chris is also the lead singer and guitarist for the well-known NM band Revíva. He has previously performed at Somos ABQ, bringing valuable insight from a local artist’s perspective to provide the best experience possible for local talent. As the Talent and Hospitality Coordinator, his goal is to help showcase the amazing artistic talent that represents the City of Albuquerque. His experience on stage and knowledge of the community will assist in making the celebration a comfortable and positive experience for our local artists.
Gabriela Estala-Lopez de Acosta, Community & Families Coordinator
Gabriela Estala-Lopez de Acosta was born and raised in New Mexico and is a proud UNM Alum. Her passion for community work began during her time as an AmeriCorps Public Ally apprentice at Global Ties ABQ, where she discovered her interest in reproductive health care and justice.
Gabriela joined Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains as a Raiz Community Organizing Specialist, focusing on expanding reproductive health care and advocacy within Latinx communities across New Mexico. In 2022, she was honored as the Planned Parenthood Federation of America Advocate of the Year. Currently, she is the first Director of Development for Dar a Luz Birth and Health Center and has a strong commitment to supporting NM families and children.
Throughout all her work, she has a deep passion for event planning. She owns a small business called Eventos Encantados that is dedicated to planning weddings and community events that bring people together to celebrate and find joy. Currently, she organizes, hosts, and DJs Queer Latin Dance ABQ, combining her love for community building with her love for music and dance.
Edgar Hernandez Gutierrez, Special Projects & Outreach Coordinator
Edgar Hernandez Gutierrez, sometimes known by the stage name Edgar Wonder, has been a professional multi disciplinary creative since 2017. Albuquerque became home for him as a child in 2005 when his family moved here from the El Paso.
He’s an innovator with exciting ideas that lift up Albuquerque culture. Edgar has won multiple New Mexico Music awards for his music production for Mew Mexico artists working with amazing established Albuquerque acts like Felix Peralta, JD Nash, Micah Thunder. He has won a “best original composer” award from the international 72-hour film contest. Edgar has also conceived numerous original events that include Albuquerque’s premiere Songwriter Contest, and the Musaic Fest. Most recently he aided in organizing the nationally recognized Southwest Chocolate and Coffee Festival.
Edgar Wonder has been a professional musician and has traveled all over the Southwest playing with touring acts from country to Latin music. Edgar is a kind and humble leader in his community, working with and educating musicians and the youth to inspire an abundant music and arts culture in Albuquerque.
Amy Maestas, Artistic & Experience Coordinator
Amy Maestas is an emerging artist born and raised in Albuquerque who is passionate about helping fellow artists and makers find their place within the local arts and culture scene.
A graduate of the University of New Mexico, with a degree in Studio Art, she works as a teaching artist with multiple programs and is active in community arts programming throughout the city providing printmaking classes to groups of all ages and capabilities. In addition to her own creative work, she supports other artists in developing their businesses by providing professional development with local arts non-profit Arts Hub. Her practice also extends into the beauty industry, where she specializes in permanent cosmetics, lash extensions, and nail art.
With art at the center of everything she does, she is committed to being a voice and advocate for other emerging local artists.
Nell Pierce, Musical & Performing Arts Coordinator
Nell Pierce is a multifaceted creative collaborator with a strong background in film production, known for bringing clarity and meaningful connection to every project she joins. Grounded in a deep love for imaginative, inclusive spaces, she combines warmth, intuition, and a talent for fostering community through music, art, and hospitality.
Originally from Oklahoma, Nell has called New Mexico home for nearly a decade. She began in the small town of Dixon before making her way to Albuquerque, where she quickly fell in love with the community while working in the Location Department of the local film scene. A natural people person, Nell has a gift for striking up conversations with just about anyone and is an attentive listener who makes people feel truly heard. She thrives on connection—whether she’s singing, playing bass, or putting her own creative spin on vintage style.
When she’s not busy creating art or curating unique antiques, Nell enjoys exploring New Mexico’s wide-open landscapes and hidden gems with her loyal dog, Seymour. She also loves dancing and catching live music, activities that fuel her vibrant, joyful spirit. These adventures inspire her warm, energetic approach to life, helping her bring good vibes and genuine connection to everyone she meets.
Maurizio Romero, Partnerships & Sponsorships Coordinator
Born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Maurizio has fallen in love with the rich culture and artistic nature of our unique state. After he graduated from Central New Mexico in Digital Media Design, Maurizio pursued photography in the dance music scene, and filmmaking where he developed his career as a Location Scout and Manager working for major companies such as Paramount+, Netflix, HBO and other major production companies.
Maurizio also created ASTRL Entertainment with his business partner Adam Sorrell. Fueled by their passion for the local music and entertainment scene, they set out to create a platform for the next generation of creatives here in New Mexico, integrating with ASTRL Clothing, founded by Adam. Over three years, they’ve integrated fashion, music, art and entertainment into their brand to showcase local New Mexican Culture and Artists. They’ve proudly been able to work with 75+ local artists.
For New Mexico. Created by New Mexicans.
Evan Wrons, Communications & Media Coordinator
Evan Wrons is an Albuquerque native and seasoned marketing strategist currently serving as the Marketing Director at Marble Brewery. With over five years as Marketing Director at Santa Fe Brewing Co. and an early career at McKee Wallwork + Co, Evan’s experience spans craft beer, agency life, and creative ventures across industries. His passion for brand building traces back to his teenage years developing Albuquerque’s underground rap battle scene, later founding ABQ Comedy Roast Battles in 2019.
A vocalist in the band Ripwilliams and founder of Studio Sixty 6, a creative boutique launched in 2022, Evan blends storytelling, culture, and strategy into every project. He’s also contributed to SOMOS ABQ’s marketing efforts since 2024, continuing to champion the spirit of the city he calls home—one campaign, event, and collaboration at a time.
Known for his creative instinct, community focus, and unfiltered voice, Evan brings both grit and vision to every brand he touches.
Tucker Yates, Operations & Production Coordinator
Tucker Yates is a music promoter in the Albuquerque area with 14 years of experience. In that time, he’s had the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse array of extremely talented local and national touring musicians at the top of their class, simultaneously platforming and promoting up and coming local artists on the same stage with these illustrious contemporaries.
Through the network of business contacts developed in conjunction with Sister bar, Tucker and his team have curated an impressive entertainment offering that’s earned a distinct reputation for quality and authenticity. Tucker is honored that all these collaborators and shared efforts have afforded him the opportunity to increase access to and enjoyment of life-changing musical experiences for people in Albuquerque for nearly half his life.
He’s excited for the opportunity to create more positive experiences for the community with this new group of SOMOS collaborators. He’s certain he can learn so much from this team, and he’s happy to share what knowledge he’s gained through his experiences in the music industry.
Festival Site Co-Coordinators
Monique Chavez, Festival Site Coordinator
Monique Chavez brings community, culture, and compassion alongside over 16 years of experience in event production, project management, and legal affairs. A native of Albuquerque, NM, Monique holds a Bachelors of Science in Biology and a Juris Doctor from the University of New Mexico. Her deep connection to community and culture was shaped by her early involvement in New Mexico’s vibrant nightlife scene.
Monique joined AmeriCorps working for the Cesar Chavez Foundation in her last year at UNM. She became the Resident Service Coordinator at La Vida Nueva Apartments, curating and overseeing their very first learning center, which provided an after-school and summer program for students. AmeriCorps brought Monique from New Mexico to Texas, and following her term, she gained a position as an Intellectual Property Paralegal for two years in San Antonio.
Monique was accepted into law school in 2013, and chose to return to her hometown to complete her law degree. Monique was involved in several organizations during law school: Students for Sensible Drug Policy; LAMBDA; Intellectual Property Matters; ACLU; MALSA; DPA.
Following law school, Monique founded New Mexico NORML. This work fueled her passion for advocating for change. Committed to fostering honest, open dialogue and building a more informed public, Monique is dedicated to challenging stigma and promoting education that supports healthier, more inclusive communities.
Arlana Gottwald, Festival Guest Services Coordinator
Arlana was born in Albuquerque while her parents were stationed at Kirtland AFB. She’s lived all over the US but loves NM the most.
Working for small businesses that are rooted in the community and culture is of the utmost importance to her. Since moving back to ABQ (again!) in 2019 she has been working as an operations manager, event coordinator and personal assistant. She is also a sub-contractor for the City of Albuquerque and has managed several Block Parties for CABQ – most notably Burque Live! Concert on Central featuring GZA from WuTang. Hobbies include painting murals all over her and her friends’ homes, reading, and exploring all the local spots. She continues to travel as often as possible but always insists that New Mexico is home.
She loves using her varied work and life experience to establish creative, repeatable systems.
She prides herself on her community focus.
Co-Directors
Cailyn Kilcup, Experience Director
Cailyn Kilcup is a culture cultivator in the professional world and passionate small business advocate. With a degree in International Business from the University of Denver and a career background of supporting female artisan entrepreneurs on the global stage, she brings a collaborative and community-centric lens to her work.
Currently, Cailyn is the Vice President of a family of firms in the Commercial Facilities Industry: FacilityBUILD, Keers Remediation, and New Mexico Drone Ventures. Cailyn fosters industry-wide collaboration between Design + Construction and aims to boost company culture and employee appreciation throughout small businesses in New Mexico. Cailyn believes in the power of people and knows that building pathways to personal fulfillment within organizational teams creates positive ripples throughout families and communities.
Cailyn extends this heart-centered approach to her role as Co-Founder and Experience Director at SOMOS ABQ. With deep reverence for Burque’s collective beauty and brilliance, Cailyn believes the experience of art, beauty, and wonder are human rights that should be accessible to all. Through her work at SOMOS ABQ, Cailyn seeks to build bridges of inspiration and magic within the community that can catalyze collective elevation and advancement.
Julia Mandeville, Artistic Director
Julia Munroe Mandeville is an award-winning cultural worker, curator, writer, civic artist, and grassroots organizer whose portfolio spans more than two decades. With the dream that we can make a joyous, just, and peaceful future by and for all, Julia builds open public programs for lifelong learning, creative expression, self discovery, and collective impact.
Together with her collaborators, Julia has resourced thousands of artists and activists of all ages, by co-creating hundreds of platforms and re-distributing more than $10.5m into the hands of makers. Currently, she serves as Co-Founder and Artistic Director of SOMOS ABQ, Chief Programs Officer of Harwood Art Center, and Founder and Co-Director of Mirror Bridge. She holds a 2024-25 Catalyst Fellowship with Women’s Impact Alliance, and she’s an Invited Full Member of Democracy & Belonging Forum, Othering & Belonging Institute – UC Berkeley. For these efforts, and among other recognitions, Julia’s peers named her the recipient of an Americans for the Arts Emerging Leaders Scholarship Award; Albuquerque Business First 40 Under 40 Award; and National Philanthropy Day AFP-YNPN New Mexico Outstanding Young Nonprofit Professional of the Year Award.
At home where the Sandias and Manzanos meet, Julia lives and makes in Albuquerque, on Tiwa Lands, with her beloveds James and Iris. New Mexico taught her belonging, and through all of her work, Julia nurtures a reality where every member of our community is supported to find that sense of awe, solidarity, and meaning.
Chris Schroeder, Development Director
Chris Schroeder stands at the helm as CEO of Real Time Solutions, a cutting-edge software company nestled in the heart of Albuquerque, New Mexico. With a tenure spanning over two decades, Chris has been a cornerstone in the company’s journey to innovation and success, truly embodying the spirit of resilience and creative ingenuity. Chris’ leadership style is deeply rooted in collaboration and mentorship, fostering a work environment that encourages innovation, continuous learning, and mutual respect.
A proud alum of the University of New Mexico, Chris holds a degree in Philosophy. His educational background, paired with his unwavering passion for technology, has enabled him to steer Real Time Solutions through the ever-evolving landscape of the software industry, ensuring that the company not only adapts to change but also thrives in it.
Chris is a firm believer in giving back to the community, actively engaging in various local initiatives, including as Co-Founder and Development Director of SOMOS ABQ and as a Board Member of the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce, ITS New Mexico, and West Central Board. Chris is invested in nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators; his journey has been significantly shaped by the invaluable guidance and support received from mentors throughout his career, a gift of knowledge and empowerment that he is eager to pay forward.
Chris resides in Albuquerque with his daughter Abigail, cherishing the balance between a rewarding professional life and a fulfilling personal life as a “Girl Dad”.
David Silverman, Managing Director
David Silverman leads Geltmore, LLC (a family-owned real estate development firm) in its retail development pursuits and Downtown Albuquerque revitalization efforts. He is responsible for marketing space within the existing Geltmore retail portfolio and facilitating lease transactions. David is also charged with structuring joint venture partnerships, arranging financing, and coordinating development and redevelopment activities. He is also Qualifying Broker of Geltmore Real Estate Advisory Team, LLC.
David takes great pride in being a steward of his community and has served on the Boards of NAIOP NM, Albuquerque Community Foundation Future Fund, and Downtown ABQ Main Street Initiative. He is most proud of his involvement being one of the Co-Founders of SOMOS ABQ and continuing to serve as its Managing Director, on its Management Consortium, and on its new Community Leadership Council.
David is married to his wife Shelley, and they live near Downtown with their two children, Morris (7) and Bailey (4).
Jesus (Zeus) Zamora, Creative Director
Jesus (Zeus) Zamora is the owner and operator of Sister bar in Downtown Albuquerque which opened in 2012. With over a decade of experience in event production, Zeus is deeply passionate about music and committed to enhancing his community. Sister bar has established itself as an important venue for live music and cultural events, contributing significantly to Albuquerque’s vibrant scene.
Zeus combines his industry expertise with a community-focused approach, creating engaging experiences that bring people together and celebrate local talent. By blending his love for music with his commitment to community development, Zeus hopes to drive positive change and make a meaningful impact on the city he calls home, including through his role as Creative Director of SOMOS ABQ.
With a multifaceted lens on entrepreneurship, growth, and culture building, and in addition to his work with Sister bar and SOMOS ABQ, Zeus also co-leads Slow Burn Coffee Roasters and Sparky’s Subaru Specialists,
He is joyfully making his home and family in New Mexico.
Co-Founders
SOMOS ABQ was co-founded in 2017 by (left to right) Chris Schroeder, Stephen Segura, David Silverman, Cailyn Kilcup, and Julia Mandeville.