Office of the Secretary

Leadership: Emily Kaltenbach

Emily Kaltenbach serves as the Cabinet Secretary Designate for the New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department.

Kaltenbach brings more than two decades of leadership in public policy, health care reform, and advocacy, as well as a strong track-record of advancing services for older adults, individuals with disabilities, and communities across New Mexico. Kaltenbach joined the administration in November 2024 and was unanimously confirmed by the New Mexico Senate on February 28, 2025.

Previously, Kaltenbach was senior director of state advocacy for the Drug Policy Alliance, where she led statewide efforts to shift policy focus from punitive measures to health-centered solutions. Her extensive background also includes leadership positions at ALTSD and in the New Mexico Office of Health Care Reform, where she contributed to significant policy reforms benefiting older adults and people of all ages with disabilities.

Kaltenbach holds a master’s in health care administration from the University of Washington and has served on multiple boards dedicated to public health, cannabis regulation, and community safety. Her leadership in health care reform and social justice issues makes her uniquely positioned to lead ALTSD as it navigates the challenges facing the state’s growing aging population.