New Mexico Welcomes Women Who Lead

Nearly half of the top executive positions are held by women, the highest percentage of any state.

By Renee Elder on December 19, 2023

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One of New Mexico’s advantages lies in identifying workforce talent and leveraging that talent for unique work opportunities. For years, it has valued the skills that women bring to the business world. Today, 46.1% of top executive positions in New Mexico are held by women, the highest percentage of any state in the country, according to the American Community Survey. 

Diversity a Factor for Women Executives in New Mexico

Elizabeth Kuuttila, CEO of The University of New Mexico (UNM) Rainforest Innovations, credits the diversity of its population – about half of which are of Hispanic heritage – for contributing to the welcoming business atmosphere for women executives in New Mexico. 

“As a minority-majority region, we have learned to have a tolerance and a collegial atmosphere involving many types of people in the business community,” Kuuttila says. 

Kuuttila, whose engineering and tech career led her first to Silicon Valley and then into higher education, found her niche specializing in intellectual property licensing and tech transfer. She now heads the business incubator UNM Rainforest Innovations, which is owned by the UNM Board of Regents and is located in downtown Albuquerque. 

According to Kuuttila, the robust innovation and research atmosphere in New Mexico is especially good for women in scientific and tech sectors. 

“Our state is ranked ninth nationally for women in tech,” Kuuttila says. “And we have the nation’s fourth-lowest gender pay gap.” 

A Skilled Workforce a Major Draw

Seconding that is another top executive, Catharine Reid, chief marketing officer for the multinational energy company BayoTech, which sprung up locally with ties to Sandia National Laboratories.

Over the past decade, BayoTech has maintained a large New Mexico presence, Reid says.

The company’s 18,000-square-foot product development center in Albuquerque supports the company’s patented hydrogen production technology – and more investment is planned.

A skilled workforce in New Mexico has been a draw for the company to expand in the region, Reid says, and that includes the talents of many executive women.

“BayoTech wants a diverse and balanced workforce, so we are serious about hiring women and helping them rise in their careers,” she says. In addition to Reid, top female executives at BayoTech include the heads of human resources and finance.

A Solid Network of Support

Another advantage for women executives in New Mexico is a solid network of support – not only for those in the CEO spot but also aspiring women leaders. 

As the home state of NAWBO (the National Association of Women Business Owners), New Mexico offers dozens of career development resources, many aimed at women on the rise, including the e-Women Network and the Women in Leadership Program. Housed at Anderson School of Management at the University of New Mexico, the Leadership Program offers enrichment and for-credit courses.

Kuuttila says, in her position at the university, she sees a lot of inventors, entrepreneurs and scientists take their ideas from concept to market. Assistance is provided to help patent their discoveries, seek interested investors, and take initial steps toward marketing and production. 

The university ranked second nationally for innovation and impact in a recent survey. A 2023 WalletHub poll ranked New Mexico No. 13 among states based on volume of innovation.

“It’s a great location for women because of all the opportunities,” she says. 

Innovation All Around

Employers extending those opportunities include more than a dozen high-level research organizations and agencies in the state, such as Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos, Array Operations Center for the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Socorro and others.

Entrepreneurship is another area where women stand out. Small business accounts for more than 99% of businesses overall, and in New Mexico, women own 47% of these businesses – exceeding the national average by more than 5%, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

State officials also note that New Mexico’s family-friendly business policies can be a boon to women as they establish their careers and expand their roles at the company. These policies support parental leave, career development for female leadership, hybrid work options and other practical ways of overcoming traditional hurdles for women.