Board Members

  • Advocacy, Communications, & Finance & Fundraising Committees.

    As the board chair of the New Mexico Cheese Guild, Lissa Knudsen brings a wealth of experience in board leadership and governance, advocacy and public relations, and education and outreach. With a strong background in public health, education, and communication, she is dedicated to promoting the growth of healthy, local commercial artisan cheese options.
    Lissa currently serves as a cheesemonger at Mouse Hole Cheese Shop in Albuquerque and is a communication instructor at Central New Mexico Community College. Lissa is also working on a Ph.D. in health communication from the University of New Mexico and brings decades of non-profit leadership experience to the board.

  • Communication Committee

    Sarah Mock is a food and agriculture writer, researcher, and podcaster. She grew up on a small farm in Southeastern Wyoming, and since then has spent more than a decade working with farmers, food and ag companies, and publications to craft narratives that resonate, create strategies that work, and advance important work that feeds people and supports independent farms while avoiding exploitation. Sarah has built expertise on everything from farm production, strategy, and marketing to ag history and economics to food logistics, supply chains, and climate impact. She’s worked in and around agriculture across the country and around the globe, with non-profits, the US Department of Agriculture, Silicon Valley companies, the national news media, and directly with farms. Her work has culminated in a number of award-winning projects, including her best-selling book Farm (and Other F Words) and her current project featuring multiple New Mexican farmers, The Only Thing That Lasts, a podcast exploring the past, problems, and possibilities of American farmland. Sarah is now rooted in Albuquerque, NM where she writes for both New Mexico Magazine and edible New Mexico. Learn more at https://sarahkmock.com/.

  • Communications Committee

    Casey Holland has their roots deeply planted in New Mexico and has been farming in the Middle Rio Grande Valley for 12 seasons. They are currently operating Chispas Farm, a community-minded 4 acre small scale regenerative vegetable + integrated animal operation in the heart of Albuquerque.

  • Finance and Fundraising & Speakers and Events Committees

    Amanda Brown is the treasurer of the New Mexico Cheese Guild and owner of Brown’s Micro Creamery. Raised in Albuquerque and currently living in Corrales with her family, Amanda makes soaps, ice cream, and cheeses after almost a decade of experience raising goats.

  • Speakers and Events, Board Recruitment Committees

    As the owner of Tiny Grocer ABQ, a local farms micro grocer and cafe, and Old Town Herbal, a full-service apothecary, in Old Town Albuquerque, New Mexico, Liz is a true community liaison. They also worked for a raw milk dairy and cheese maker in Northern Colorado for almost a decade prior to starting their herbal practice. As a 5th generation New Mexican, they bring a commitment to community well-being, as well as a passion for supporting local food and farms to the NMCG board.

  • David is a teacher, musician, and community leader based in Santa Fe with a deep commitment to fostering local connections and celebrating New Mexico’s rich cultural and ecological heritage. After growing up in the Washington DC area, David attended St. John’s College in Santa Fe. After following other pursuits, he moved back to New Mexico for good about five years ago and since then he has been actively involved in building community through music, food, and storytelling.

    David has a passion for foraging and sustainable local food systems. He attended the Sour Milk School NMCG hosted at Polks Folly Farm in September and recently contributed to an Institute of Contemporary Art panel celebrating last year’s rare piñon harvest. The panel explored cultural, ecological, and personal connections to piñon ecosystems. David provided home-made goat cheese to accompany chef Natalia Pereira’s wild-foraged piñon tasting, offering a sensory connection that beautifully complemented the discussion.

  • Bylaws & Communications Committees

    Riley Stevens is the secretary of the New Mexico Cheese Guild. Riley is a Marketing and Communications Specialist based here in Albuquerque, where she supports the mission of the Jewish Community Center (JCC) by serving as their board secretary. A New Mexico local with a deep appreciation for connection and collaboration, Riley brings significant energy and dedication to her work. Beyond her professional experience, Riley is an avid home cook, photographer, and maker with diverse hobbies including crochet, gardening, and hiking. Her enthusiasm for learning, creating, and contributing meaningfully are a valuable asset to our board.

Meet the Cheese Board

We are a group of local business owners, community members, and cheese enthusiasts creating community around good cheese in our neighborhoods!