Board of Directors

Sharon Ransom, M.D.
President

Dr. Sharon Ransom, M.D. is a Board-certified Obstetrician/Gynecologist passionate about women’s health and access to reproductive health and wellness. Dr. Ransom recognizes the need to advocate for the health of all women. Sharon has experience working with many communities of women, from rural Indiana to rural Ethiopia. She has worked in the United States, New Zealand, and Ethiopia. Sharon focuses on the basic needs of all communities- healthy women. She knows that racial and gender discrimination in healthcare limits access to providers and results in excess disease and poor health in many communities. Dr. Ransom works to ensure equity in reproductive and sexual health, as well as reproductive justice for all.

Ashley Hartshorn
Vice President

Ashley is an architect who has lived and worked in New Mexico for over 15 years. She is passionate about shaping thriving, equitable communities through the built environment and beyond. Over the last decade, she’s served in leadership roles with the American Institute of Architects at the local, state, regional, and national levels. Within these roles she’s helped advance the architecture industry through initiatives focused on community development and well-being, resources for emerging professionals, and legislative advocacy. She has also collaborated with organizations like The Food Depot to bring design thinking and creativity into addressing food insecurity and providing essential resources for families across Northern New Mexico. Ashley brings both professional expertise and a deep personal commitment to shaping systems that uplift women, children, and families.

Krista Pietsch
Secretary

Krista grew up around the world before settling in eastern New Mexico in 2005. They earned a BS in Biology from the University of New Mexico, taught science at Clovis Community College, and later completed an AAS in Nursing in 2024. Krista now works in the Neurology Progressive Care Unit at Presbyterian Hospital in downtown Albuquerque.

Krista is an active community advocate, having served as President of the Portales VFW Auxiliary and as a leader with Eastern New Mexico Rising, where they supported reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ visibility. They currently volunteer with Jane’s Due Process, helping teens access abortion care and reproductive health resources in Texas.

Leah Mitchell
Treasurer

Leah Mitchell is a lifelong New Mexican and a retired accountant. During her accounting career, she specialized in employee benefit plan administration helping small and large employers provide retirement, healthcare and other benefits to their employees.  Leah is experienced in regulation regarding equal pay, access to healthcare, paid leave and similar issues that directly affect the economic well-being of New Mexico’s women and girls. 

Mary Clark
Compliance Officer

Mary is the first sustainability manager at the University of New Mexico, overseeing the Office of Sustainability. Her other areas of expertise include recycling, campus community gardens, and greenhouse gas inventory. Mary is a University of New Mexico graduate with an Economics and European Studies degree.