SJMF Staff

Leslie, Brenda, Jane, Micaela, & Audra

Executive Director Jane Kolesnik

Welcome to our website! My name is Jane Kolesnik. I was fortunate to join the staff of the San Juan Medical Foundation as Executive Director in January 2008 after a twenty year career in fundraising and non-profit management. Moving back to New Mexico has been something I’ve wanted to do. I grew up in Artesia (a small oil and gas community in the southeastern part of the state) and learned to love the arid climate and the friendly people.

Strangely enough, my career began when a family member was diagnosed with a chronic illness. Because I felt helpless about what was happening to my family, I decided to try to make a difference for others. I had no idea I was in training for what would later become my profession. I just knew I had to do everything in my power to raise enough money to cure the disease that had invaded our lives and changed my family forever. I became a board member and “super-volunteer” for two foundations.

Because I was so passionate about my mission, the organizations I served gave me training in special event and major gift fundraising as well as board leadership and development. I was elected board president of an international foundation in two different cities as my husband was transferred and moved our family across the country.

In 1986, I started my career. I began to put what I had learned as a volunteer to work for me and the organizations I led. The rest is history. I am now lucky to be associated with the compassionate and hard-working Board, staff and volunteers of the San Juan Medical Foundation. We are daily helping patients and their families with medical needs that might otherwise go unmet.

We are happy to introduce you to our website. Take a moment to browse. We invite you to join us as a volunteer for one of our annual fundraising events or the Connelly Hospitality House. You will be glad you did. I promise!

Board of Directors | About SJMF

Leslie Fitz, Connelly House Manager

Welcome to the web site for San Juan Medical Foundation and Connelly Hospitality House (CHH).

I am the manager of Connelly House. I love being in a position of creating a warm and caring environment for patients and families who are coping with a medical crisis. They need a place of quiet serenity where they can rediscover hope and grow toward healing. Whether I am making a bed, planting flowers, interacting with the HOST volunteers or receiving a new guest, I am creating a tranquil place for families in medical crisis.

My previous work and personal experiences have uniquely suited me for this position. For fifteen years I worked at Four Corners Home for Children/Navajo Ministries. In that time, I worked for ten years as an assistant to the Director of Development at Navajo Ministries and for three years I was the Director of Development. In addition, our son was physically handicapped and chronically ill so I was a caregiver in the midst of medical challenges.

I came to CHH in the summer of 1999. I am inspired by the courage of the patients and their families and I delight in the dedicated commitment of the HOST volunteers.

Board of Directors | About SJMF

Brenda Medley, Annual Giving/Donor Relations Coordinator

Welcome to the San Juan Medical Foundation website. I am Brenda Medley, the Annual Giving/Donor Relations Coordinator.

In 2001, I began working full-time for the San Juan Medical Foundation as an Executive Assistant. There were just two of us in the office, so “other duties as assigned” took on a whole new meaning for both of us. The SJMF had grown to the extent that the need for more help became a reality. Hiring an Office Assistant in 2006, freed me to do what I love best… Special Events!

I have three children and two grandchildren.

The Annual Cancer Walk-a-Thon, while the largest event, is not the only one hosted by SJMF. We host, or partner with other organizations and businesses to produce the following:

Thank you for visiting our website. We invite you to be a part of any, or all of our activities.

Board of Directors | About SJMF

Micaela Warren, Development Assistant

My name is Micaela Warren and I was hired as a Development Assistant for the San Juan Medical Foundation in May of 2009. In 2003, I married my husband Micky, who I have known for 19 years and who was my first date. We have a four-year-old son named Cody. In 2003, I received a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from New Mexico State University.

I work with our fundraising program, Sage, and accounting program, QuickBooks. I assist with the administration of the Cathy Lincoln Memorial Cancer Fund and Riley Industrial Men’s Health Fund. The part of my job that I enjoy the most is helping to coordinate special events. Knowing these events help many people makes the hard work very worthwhile. I also like the creativity the special events involve. I am grateful for the opportunity to work at the foundation and for the people I am working with.

Board of Directors | About SJMF

Audra Winters, Special Events Coordinator

Thank you for visiting the San Juan Medical Foundation website. My name is Audra Winters, Special Events Coordinator. I started my position in May of 2010. Special Events have always been my favorite thing to do, because I believe every day should be a special event!

I grew up in Farmington and after graduating from high school I moved to Phoenix, AZ where I lived for 15 years. After my husband and I were married we moved back to Farmington to be close to family and to begin a new life together. Before coming to the San Juan Medical Foundation I was a District Manager for Avon Products. Prior to moving to back to Farmington I worked for the Arizona Foundation for Medical Care as an Account Manager and Marketing Coordinator.

I look forward to seeing you at our many events.

Board of Directors | About SJMF