ABEL CARDENAS

Chief of risk management & retail operations Laguna Development Corp. Albuquerque Who or what inspires you as a leader and why?

I am inspired by people who work hard and love the work they do every day. I love the pride they take in their work and in their accomplishments.

What do you consider to be New Mexico’s strengths and how can our state build upon these assets?

We live in the Land of Enchantment and as a state, we have much to offer. Our diversity is like few other states. We should build on this diversity to improve our education system and lower our crime rate to attract more people to the state.

What would it take to realize that vision and how can you contribute?

We have to slow down the crime rate by improving laws for repeat offenders. We need to improve our educational system by following the model of other states whose education system works. We need to vote, hold our elected officials accountable and work with them to improve our laws.