Local IWF-NM Members Gather to Boost Women's Leadership

On January 7, 2026, members of the International Women’s Forum–New Mexico (IWF-NM) convened at Blue Window Bistro in Los Alamos for a New Year luncheon to mark the start of 2026 and to reaffirm the organization’s focus on leadership development. Attendees from Los Alamos included retired Bradbury Science Museum Director Linda Deck, local historian Nancy Bartlit, Enterprise Bank & Trust Regional President Liddie Martinez, and County Administrative Services Department Director Helen Perraglio. A photo of the gathering was credited to Carol A. Clark.

IWF-NM’s stated mission is to advance women’s leadership, connect accomplished women across the state, and promote leadership development. For Los Alamos, a community shaped by national laboratory employment, scientific outreach, and a small but diverse local government, those goals have direct local relevance. Museum leadership like the Bradbury’s supports cultural tourism and education that feed into hospitality and retail sales; regional bank executives influence lending and capital access for local businesses; and county administrators set policies that affect workforce recruitment and municipal services.

While the luncheon was a social and celebratory event, such gatherings function as soft infrastructure for the local economy. Networks among senior women in business, culture, and government can accelerate partnerships and knowledge sharing that improve organizational resilience and program delivery. For example, stronger ties between county administrators and private-sector leaders can help align workforce-training efforts with employer needs, and museum and historical leaders can collaborate with schools and tourism offices to boost visitor numbers and community programming.

The economic implications are particularly salient for Los Alamos County’s long-term competitiveness. Small communities rely on leadership continuity and cross-sector collaboration to retain talent and attract investment. By promoting leadership development, IWF-NM contributes to a pipeline of experienced candidates for board seats, civic commissions, and executive roles—positions that shape local policy on housing, transportation, and services that influence both cost of living and business operating conditions.

For residents, the immediate takeaway is practical: community leaders are meeting, sharing perspectives, and building relationships that matter for local decision-making and economic health. The luncheon at Blue Window Bistro was a reminder that civic networks and professional mentorship remain key levers for sustaining Los Alamos’s institutions and supporting economic stability as the county faces the coming year. (Photo credit: Carol A. Clark / ladailypost.com.)