NM Tech Council CEO, president steps down
Nyika Allen to take role in Keller administration
Nyika Allen is stepping down as president and CEO of the New Mexico Technology Council, but she leaves behind a revamped organization on a solid growth path.
Allen, who took the council’s helm in 2014, will join Mayor Tim Keller’s administration on Feb. 20, although the city has yet to announce her new position.
The council is now searching for a new leader. But thanks to Allen’s legacy, the next director will inherit a well-greased organization that in the past four years has moved from relative obscurity into a leadership role in Albuquerque’s technology community and startup ecosystem, board chair Curt Schatz said.
“She’s left us in an excellent position to further the organization’s mission,” Schatz said. “She helped put a framework in place for the next CEO to come in and succeed immediately.”
The council, which launched in 1999, functioned for years as a networking group for individuals from technology-related businesses mostly known for its annual Women in Technology awards and recognition event.
Allen, however, aggressively recruited more institutional participants. Membership grew from about 80 in 2014 to 175 now, and the board expanded from 20 to 30 members to reflect the council’s new and varied industry representatives.
That, in turn, generated more stable funding through membership fees and sponsorships, allowing the council to hire more staff and organize more events and activities.
“Four years ago, the organization wasn’t very stable, and it didn’t have much recognition, staff or revenue,” Allen said. “My goal was to bring it to a place of stability and growth, and I feel I’ve achieved that. It’s set up now for the next person to take over.”
Still, given Allen’s success, the next director may face heightened membership expectations.
“Nyika was able to really bring people together,” said Lisa Adkins, board member and former chair. “She leaves big shoes to fill.”