Winners for 2025 New Mexico Ethics in Business Awards Announced

CNM is excited to announce the winners for this year’s New Mexico Ethics in Business Awards. This annual program honors for-profit companies, non-profit organizations, and individuals in New Mexico that demonstrate a strong commitment to the highest level of ethical business practice in daily operations, management and personal philosophies, and in their response to crises and challenges.

Nominations were reviewed and vetted by the New Mexico Ethics in Business Awards Screening Committee. The finalists went through an additional vetting process that included participation of CNM business students.

With CNM’s 60th anniversary around the corner, this year’s Ethics in Business awards are particularly special.

“Hosting the Ethics in Business Awards reflects all of CNM’s values, particularly our value of ‘Be Ethical’, by celebrating the ethical businesses and leaders in our community,” says Clint Wells, Executive Director of the CNM Foundation. “We’re thrilled to recognize this year’s recipients and continue to help foster a more ethical business culture in Albuquerque and across New Mexico.” 

The 2025 winners are: 

• Kate Morton - PNM Award for Individual Excellence in Ethical Business Practice, in Honor of John Ackerman: Kate Morton is the Chief Clinical Officer at Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless and Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor at UNM College of Pharmacy. During her service as an AmeriCorps NCCC volunteer, Kate discovered her passion for addressing health inequities and became a Clinical Pharmacist after graduating from UNM College of Pharmacy. Kate specializes in community health, HIV care and prevention, LGBTQ+ health, homelessness, substance use, and harm reduction. Among the first clinical pharmacists in New Mexico to treat opioid use disorders, Kate is dedicated to teaching others how to provide this life-saving care to help our community.  

• Alex Rich - Emerging Leader in Ethical Excellence: Alex Rich is a passionate nonprofit professional who has dedicated her career to enhancing and championing the community's impact on New Mexican non-profits. Alex is the National Lead Manager of Partnership Development for Make-A-Wish America and the former Chief Development Officer for Make-A-Wish New Mexico. During her tenure, Alex served as a catalyst to the organization’s fundraising efforts, generating monumental growth and elevating capabilities. Anchored by her motto, “People are good and will do good when given an opportunity,” Alex is dedicated to upholding nonprofit transparency, integrity, and accountability to maintain and strengthen community trust and partnership. Alex believes it is the responsibility of nonprofit professionals to ensure every partner feels confident and proud of their impact. 

• Mandy’s Farm - Hopkins Award for Excellence in Ethical Practice by a Non-Profit Organization: Mandy’s Farm is an organization dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities by providing supportive housing, meaningful employment, and fostering community connections. Ethics are crucial in their mission, as they work to ensure all individuals with disabilities are treated with dignity and respect. The organization prioritizes inclusion, equity, and access, recognizing how disability intersects with race, gender, and sexual orientation. By focusing on these ethical principles, Mandy’s Farm creates an environment where individuals can build social capital, explore purpose, and contribute to their communities, leading to positive change and more inclusive spaces.

• Think New Mexico - Hopkins Award for Excellence in Ethical Practice by a Non-Profit Organization: Think New Mexico was founded with the idea that a nonpartisan, results-oriented think tank could help New Mexico advance in some of the national rankings where the state currently place at or near the bottom. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for all New Mexicans, especially those who do not have a strong voice in the political process. Since its founding, Think New Mexico has successfully championed the enactment of numerous landmark laws, including repealing the state’s regressive tax on groceries, making full-day kindergarten accessible to every child in New Mexico, and ending predatory lending. 

• Apex Evaluation - Rust Award for Excellence in Ethical Business Practice by a For-Profit Business: Apex Evaluation is an Albuquerque-based evaluation consulting firm. For over 25 years, they’ve partnered with organizations that address poverty and income inequality, health and education disparities, and racism and discrimination. Across different projects, purposes, audiences, and formats, they strive to produce authentic, compelling, and impactful stories rooted in credible evidence. They believe ethics is about equity and integrity, which permeates all aspects of their business, including how they support their employees. In addition to a living wage and health insurance, they offer a four-day workweek and unlimited paid leave to foster the diversity of talent needed to carry out their vision and mission.

• Montech, Inc - Rust Award for Excellence in Ethical Business Practice by a For-Profit Business: Montech Inc. is a U.S. Federal Government contractor headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Founded in 2011, Montech is an SBA 8(a), Woman Owned Small Business, and American Indian Corporation. Montech employs over 160 full-time personnel in 15 states. In 2024, the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce recognized Montech as the “Native Owned Business of the Year.” Montech President Monica Jojola serves as Trustee on The University of New Mexico Foundation, WESST, United Way of Central New Mexico, and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Montech’s annual commitment includes sponsoring key community initiatives and organizations that includes the American Heart Association, The University of New Mexico, Rio Grande Food Project, United Way of Central NM, Girl Scouts New Mexico Trails, Alta Mira, WESST, and more. Monica Jojola is a proud member of the Pueblo of Isleta, NM.

For more information about the awards, including ticket information for the celebration on April 2 at Sandia Resort, please visit the New Mexico Ethics in Business Awards website.