Leaders of Enchantment

Leaders of Enchantment

por Doug Campbell

Temporada 2

EP 33 - AKILAH MARTINEZ

Akilah, also known as Glittering World Girl, isan artist, technologist, and cultural bearer from the Navajo Nation. Hercreative path began early, watching her grandparents—unilingual Navajospeakers—left with television programming only available in English. Thatmoment sparked her lifelong commitment to create media that honors Indigenousways of life and preserves Native cultures and languages. Her work centers on community-based media,blending modern technology with circular Indigenous-based socialentrepreneurship. Akilah is known for producing Navajo-language videos, radioads, and musical features in Diné bizaad, using creativestorytelling to spark dialogue and strengthen connection across community, art,and technology. Akilah’s artistic practice often explores Indigenousfuturism, weaving Navajo superheroes, traditional foods, and pop-cultureelements into augmented reality (AR) experiences. She holds a BFA in Studio Artfrom the University of New Mexico with a focus in electronic and emerging XRtechnologies. Her interactive oscillator shoes were showcased at FATE Biennial2013. She later spent five years living primarily on the Navajo reservationworking in language-preservation media. In 2019, Akilah received an Immersive Technology Fellowshipwith XR company Crux, splitting time between New York City and Los Angeles tolearn from leading XR creators. She went on to graduate at the top of aCultivating Coders cohort and, in 2022, earned funding from The Andy WarholFoundation / 516 ARTS Fulcrum Fund for her third AR project. Akilah’s guiding belief:“We are part of Creator, therefore we were given the ability to create…Through imagination and the ability to select from infinite potential, we’reable to externalize abundance and create new realities for our people.” Project – Natives In Tech Akilah’s LIFT project, Natives In Tech, is aseries of AR environments redefining how contemporary Indigenous art shows upin museums, galleries, and entertainment spaces. Built for Indigenous socialmedia users and young creators, the project offers a playful, culturally richdigital interface that lets users Indigenize their surroundings in real time.

EP 33 TEASER - AKILAH MARTINEZ

AKILAH MARTINEZ Akilah, also known as Glittering World Girl, isan artist, technologist, and cultural bearer from the Navajo Nation. Hercreative path began early, watching her grandparents—unilingual Navajospeakers—left with television programming only available in English. Thatmoment sparked her lifelong commitment to create media that honors Indigenousways of life and preserves Native cultures and languages. Her work centers on community-based media,blending modern technology with circular Indigenous-based socialentrepreneurship. Akilah is known for producing Navajo-language videos, radioads, and musical features in Diné bizaad, using creativestorytelling to spark dialogue and strengthen connection across community, art,and technology. Akilah’s artistic practice often explores Indigenousfuturism, weaving Navajo superheroes, traditional foods, and pop-cultureelements into augmented reality (AR) experiences. She holds a BFA in Studio Artfrom the University of New Mexico with a focus in electronic and emerging XRtechnologies. Her interactive oscillator shoes were showcased at FATE Biennial2013. She later spent five years living primarily on the Navajo reservationworking in language-preservation media. In 2019, Akilah received an Immersive Technology Fellowshipwith XR company Crux, splitting time between New York City and Los Angeles tolearn from leading XR creators. She went on to graduate at the top of aCultivating Coders cohort and, in 2022, earned funding from The Andy WarholFoundation / 516 ARTS Fulcrum Fund for her third AR project. Akilah’s guiding belief:“We are part of Creator, therefore we were given the ability to create…Through imagination and the ability to select from infinite potential, we’reable to externalize abundance and create new realities for our people.” Project – Natives In Tech Akilah’s LIFT project, Natives In Tech, is aseries of AR environments redefining how contemporary Indigenous art shows upin museums, galleries, and entertainment spaces. Built for Indigenous socialmedia users and young creators, the project offers a playful, culturally richdigital interface that lets users Indigenize their surroundings in real time. Through a blend of contemporary visual art, pop culture,and ancient Indigenous iconography, Natives In Tech creates aborderless sense of ancestral community and provides a platform for positive,culturally aligned representation in interactive technology.

EP32 TEASER - MONICA JOJOLA

In this episode, we sit down with MonicaJojola, President and founder of Montech Inc., an award-winning SBA 8(a)certified, Woman-Owned, and American Indian corporation providing professionaland technical support services nationwide. Since launching Montech in 2011,Monica has built a fast-growing company with federal contracts across multiplestates, earning recognition as one of New Mexico’s Fastest Growing Companiesfor five consecutive years and receiving the 2021 Patriotic Employer Award forsupporting U.S. veterans and reservists. With over 20 years ofexecutive experience in federal contracting, Monica has briefed leaders fromregional commanding officers to Assistant Secretaries at the Pentagon. Hercommitment extends to community service through the UNM Board of Trustees,WESST, Team Kirtland Wingman, and the American Indian Chamber of Commerce ofNew Mexico. A proud member of thePueblo of Isleta, Monica is a graduate of the University of New Mexico andco-author of Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs of New Mexico: Surpassing Barriersand Stereotypes.

EP 31 - COLBY WILSON

Colby Wilson leads the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central New Mexico as CEO (Chief EncouragementOfficer), where he oversees programs that help local youth develop leadership, academic success and life skills. An MA graduate of Seattle Pacific University.Colby has devoted more than 18 years to the Boys & Girls Clubs movement — holding senior leadership posts around the country. Before moving to New Mexico he served as CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence, Kansas, where hedirected a $5 million capital campaign to build the Don & Beverly GardnerCenter for Great Futures, expanding services for middle- and high-school youth.In Albuquerque he continues to focus on expanding access and building community partnerships. Colby lives locally with his wife Mandy (a special-education teacher) and their two children.

EP 31 TEASER - COLBY WILSON

Colby Wilson leads theBoys & Girls Clubs of Central New Mexico as CEO (Chief Encouragement Officer), where he oversees programs that help local youth develop leadership, academic success and life skills. An MA graduate of Seattle Pacific University, Colby has devoted more than 18 years to the Boys & Girls Clubs movement —holding senior leadership posts around the country. Before moving to New Mexico he served as CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence, Kansas, where hedirected a $5 million capital campaign to build the Don & Beverly Gardner Center for Great Futures, expanding services for middle- and high-school youth.In Albuquerque, he continues to focus on expanding access and building communitypartnerships. Colby lives locally with his wife Mandy (a special-education teacher) and their two children.

EP32 - MONICA JOJOLA

In this episode, we sit down with MonicaJojola, President and founder of Montech Inc., an award-winning SBA 8(a)certified, Woman-Owned, and American Indian corporation providing professionaland technical support services nationwide. Since launching Montech in 2011,Monica has built a fast-growing company with federal contracts across multiplestates, earning recognition as one of New Mexico’s Fastest Growing Companiesfor five consecutive years and receiving the 2021 Patriotic Employer Award forsupporting U.S. veterans and reservists. With over 20 years ofexecutive experience in federal contracting, Monica has briefed leaders fromregional commanding officers to Assistant Secretaries at the Pentagon. Hercommitment extends to community service through the UNM Board of Trustees,WESST, Team Kirtland Wingman, and the American Indian Chamber of Commerce ofNew Mexico. A proud member of thePueblo of Isleta, Monica is a graduate of the University of New Mexico andco-author of Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs of New Mexico: Surpassing Barriersand Stereotypes.

EP 30 - BRIAN ADAMS

Brian Adams — Investing in New Mexico’s FutureThrough Energy, Mobility & Innovation Brian Adams is the Co-Founder and Managing Partnerof UP.Abundance, a New Mexico–focused venture fund and an investment strategy of the global firm UP.Partners. A“boomerang” New Mexican, Brian returned to the state in 2022 after 13 years in Seattle, bringing with him deep experience in startups, venture capital, and corporate innovation. Brian began his career in Albuquerque in 2004 at Eclipse Aviation, where he worked alongside Ben Marcus and Cyrus Sigari—future founders of UP.Partners.His path took him to Amazon, where over five years he helped scale the Alexa Corporate Venture Capital Fund and led the Portfolio Development team. Later at Amazon Web Services (AWS), he created and led strategies to partner with hundreds of accelerators and incubators, helping AWS acquire early-stage startups. Throughout his career, Brian has been an earlyemployee at five startups—two of which were acquired by GE and Liberty Media.In 2022, he and his wife, an Albuquerque native, moved back to New Mexico,where he co-founded UP.Abundance with David Ellmann. The fund, backed by New Mexico’s state sovereign wealth fund, is focused on attracting and investing in energy and mobility startups that are building or committing to build a presence in the state. Brian holds a degree in Aerospace Engineering from Purdue University and an MBA from the University of Washington. Hiswork is helping position New Mexico as a national leader in climate technology and innovation.

EP 29 - EMILY HOWARD

Emily K. Howard is the founder and president of CheetahStrategy, a strategic planning and brand consulting firm she launched in 2021. Beginning January 1, 2025, she will step into a new role as the Executive Director of the Economic Forum of Albuquerque,succeeding Kathie Winograd. Emily brings years of experience across marketing,tourism, and strategic planning, having worked with organizations like the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Visit Albuquerque, Esparza Advertising, and McKee Wallwork. She’s also the co-founder and co-hostof Start Bragging, a volunteer-driven movement and podcastdedicated to shining a positive light on Albuquerque. Her leadership philosophy is rooted in tenacity.In her piece “The Impact of Tenacity on Business Leadership” for American City Business Journals’ BizWomen, Emily defined tenacity as the fortitude it takes to keep pushing forward in business and leadership.It’s a mindset that has shaped her own journey and the way she leads. The Economic Forum of Albuquerque is amember-based, non-partisan organization that convenes business, government, education, and civic leaders to strengthen the city’s future. As the Forum’sboard chair Michael Stevens noted: “Emily’s dedication to Albuquerque, her strategic expertise and her ability to connect people and ideas make her the ideal candidate to lead the Economic Forum.” Beyond her professional roles, Emily is a proud momand wife, sports fan, pizza lover, occasional vodka gimlet drinker, weekend warrior, and a TCU alum/letterwinner. She brings both energy and authenticity to her work and life, and she’s passionate about building connections that elevate her community.

EP 28 – YPA X LOE with Doug Campbell and Adam Hammer.

For Episode 28, we switched things up again withanother out-of-the-box format—this time recording in front of a live audience, thanks to the Young Professionals of Albuquerque (YPA). Staying true to thattheme, the guest in the hot seat was none other than our own host, Doug Campbell. The tables were turned as Episode 3’s guest, Adam Hammer, CEO of Roadrunner Venture Studio, stepped in to lead the conversation. The episode wrapped upwith questions from the live audience, making it an engaging and memorable event for everyone involved. Special thanks to YPA and Road Runner Studios for hosting and to Adam for being such a great sport. We hope you enjoy this uniqueepisode! For all things LEADERS OF ENCHANTMENTWebsite | https://www.dougcampbell505.com/leade...Instagram | / leadersofenchantment YouTube | / @leadersofenchantmentpodcast

EP 27 - JOANIE GRIFFIN

Joanie Griffin – Founding Principal, Sunny505 For more than three decades, Joanie Griffin hasbeen shaping the way organizations tell their stories. As the founder and CEO of Sunny505, she built her company around the belief that a strong brand is more than a logo or tagline — it’s an experience that leaves a lasting impression. Joanie has guided countless clients through the evolving world ofcommunications, navigating shifts from traditional media to digital-first strategies, always with an eye toward impact and authenticity. Her career has been marked not only byprofessional success but also by a spirit of resilience and adaptability.Joanie is known for rolling up her sleeves, diving into the details, and finding creative solutions that make brands shine. She brings that same energy into her personal life. Whether on a road bike or grinding up gravel climbs, Joanie leads from the front, driven by a passion to push boundaries and enjoythe ride. Those who know her best describe her as both astrategist and a cheerleader — someone who builds momentum for others while inspiring them with her own positivity. In work and in life, Joanie Griffinembodies what it means to lead with purpose, enthusiasm, and heart. http://leadersofenchantment.com

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