For more than two decades, Sandra K. Begay has helped shape the growth and success of UNM Rainforest Innovations. Since joining the Board of Directors in 2004 and serving as Chair from 2011 to 2026, she helped strengthen the organization’s role in advancing research commercialization and entrepreneurship across New Mexico while fostering a collaborative Board committed to supporting researchers, entrepreneurs, and community partners.
Sandra brought to UNM Rainforest Innovations a distinguished career dedicated to engineering, sustainability, and expanding opportunities for Indigenous communities. A civil engineer and longtime leader at Sandia National Laboratories, she has worked alongside American Indian tribes across the country to advance renewable energy initiatives and long-term economic development while mentoring the next generation of Native engineers and scientists. Her commitment to education and public service has earned national recognition, including appointments to the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability Advisory Council and numerous honors for her leadership in advancing STEM opportunities for Indigenous students and professionals. Those experiences, combined with her collaborative leadership style, made her an invaluable guide for UNM Rainforest Innovations throughout her tenure as Board Chair.
Beyond her leadership as Board Chair, Sandra has been a passionate supporter and advisor to programs that expand opportunity and strengthen communities. As an advisor to the New Mexico Tribal Entrepreneurship Enhancement Program (NMTEEP), she helped strengthen entrepreneurship in tribal communities across New Mexico. Funded by an American Rescue Plan Economic Adjustment Assistance (ARPA) grant administered by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), the program expanded opportunities for Native American businesses through entrepreneurship, job creation, collaboration, and investment. Its impact earned recognition at both the national and state levels, receiving the 2024 UEDA Award of Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and the 2025 New Mexico IDEA Economic Development Excellence Award for Entrepreneurial & Small Business Development.
Sandra’s commitment to empowering Indigenous communities also extended through her support of programs such as the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Native American Veterans, which equips Native American veteran entrepreneurs with the knowledge, mentorship, and resources needed to launch or grow successful businesses.
In recognition of Sandra’s extraordinary service and lasting contributions, the UNM Rainforest Innovations Endowment Fund Committee has been renamed the Begay Endowment Fund Committee, honoring the lasting impact of her leadership on the organization and the communities it serves.
The UNM Rainforest Innovations Board and staff extend their sincere gratitude to Sandra K. Begay for more than two decades of service and 15 years as Board Chair. Although Sandra is concluding her tenure as Board Chair, she will continue serving on the Board of Directors. Her ongoing service ensures that UNM Rainforest Innovations will continue to benefit from her guidance and dedication to its mission.
