Grief Center Staff

Executive Director
Debora Garrison began her journey with the Grief Center in 2003 as a participant with her two young children, after the death of their father. Always knowing that she would someday give back to The GC for the difference it made in their lives, she joined the Board of Directors in 2017 and served as Board Treasurer (2020-2024). Deb has a master’s degree in educational leadership and retired from APS in 2024 with over 38 years of experience in the educational setting. She knows how important it is to have compassion and understanding as one grieves and was excited to be named the third Executive Director of the Grief Center in 2024.

Director of Development
Suzie Blake, MPNL, CFRE moved to New Mexico from Michigan in 2019 and quickly fell in love with all New Mexico offers, especially the outdoors. With over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Suzie earned her Masters in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership from Grand Valley State University in Michigan and is a Certified Fund Raising Professional (CFRE). Contact Suzie to learn more about how you can support grieving children and adults in New Mexico.

Development & Outreach Associate
Jorie Weyer manages donor relations, writes grants, manages GC’s social media, and leads the GC’s Community Alliance Committee of volunteers. Jorie volunteered at the GC for 3 years before joining the staff in 2017.  She holds a degree in Business Administration with a Marketing focus from the University of New Mexico.

Director of Education
Mickey Kivitz, M.S., has been with The Grief Center as a volunteer since 2015. He has served as a Bereavement Facilitator and participated in Camp Corazon. Mickey has participated in the NM “Before I Die…” festival as a featured speaker on the Understanding Grief Panel, as well as The Speaker’s Bureau, where he provides trainings on how to give notification of a death and how foster children deal with grief.

Administrative Manager
Beth Brodie has over three decades of experience in administration and property management within the fields of commercial real estate and education. She was raised in New Mexico and enjoys our beautiful sunshine and all things New Mexican, especially red and green! Beth manages myriad administrative tasks ranging from bookkeeping to support of the tenants at the Center for Hope and Healing.

Program Manager
Christina Thies holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication and Journalism from New Mexico State University. Before joining the GC she co-owned a printing company and worked for a local non-profit improving the lives of homeless pets. Outside of work she is focused on supporting her local community through volunteer work and education.

Bi-Lingual (English/Spanish) Program Manager
Veronica Flores holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Sociology from Fort Lewis College, Colorado, and has since been providing direct services and advocacy for non-profit agencies for more than 6 years. Her goal is to continue to provide minority community members and their families grief support in a culturally inclusive and safe space.

Curriculum Coordinator
Kelly Geib-Eckenroth is a former bereavement facilitator and Program Director (2009-2020) of the Children’s Grief Center, and former leader of Camp Corazon (2013-2019 & 2024). She has over 30 years of experience working in youth-centered non-profits; developing curriculum, administrating programs, training volunteers and staff, and providing direct services to children and their families. Returning to The Grief Center in July 2022, Kelly is responsible for developing curriculum and supporting the new camp director.

Front Desk/Administrative Assistant
Peter Moulson works at our Front Desk and you’ll often hear him answering our phones. He has volunteered at the Grief Center for many years, was a member of our Board of Directors, and worked at a Hospice in Albuquerque. A resident of Albuquerque for almost 4 decades, Peter says he’s not planning on living anywhere else!

For information pertaining to our Board of Directors meetings, please send a request HERE.