2025 National Latino Behavioral Health Conference – Agenda at a Glance

Fred Sandoval, MPA 
NLBHA Executive Director

Fred has over 34 years professional experience in health and human services. Fred served as the President of the National Latino Behavioral Health Association, where he currently works as the Executive Director. He served as a member of the SAMHSA Health Care Reform Community of Practice advising on effective outreach and enrollment of uninsured Latinos. Fred served on the National Council of La Raza Affiliate Council. He was formerly appointed by Governor Bill Richardson as the Deputy Secretary of Health and Income Support Division Director for the State of New Mexico and was the alternate to the U.S.-Mexico Border Health Commission. He served as First Vice President of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in Arlington, VA. Fred worked as the Human Service Planning Supervisor for the City of Santa Fe overseeing CDBG and human services programs. Fred met with and participated in President George W. Bush’ announcement of the New Freedom Commission in Albuquerque, NM and served on the National Latino Mental Health Congress during the President Clinton administration. He has served on numerous national, regional and community boards, councils, commissions and committees. He is a nationally recognized trainer and consultant on culturally informed practices. He received his Masters in Public Administration from Northern Arizona University in 1992 and his Bachelors of University Studies from the University of New Mexico in 1980. He has received the SAMHSA Administrator Award, the Cerro Grande Fire Hero Award, the Con Alma Health Foundation Health Hero Award and numerous national recognition for his work in and with Latino communities. His technical skills include data research and analysis, program evaluation, planning and community needs assessments, policy research and analysis, program development, budget preparation, business planning, environment scans, survey development & administration, and technical report writing.

Dr. Susie Villalobos 
NLBHA Program Director

Dr. Susie Villalobos is an accomplished researcher, evaluator, and certified Clinical Research Associate with over 25 years of experience leading large-scale public health initiatives and community-based projects. Dr. Villalobos specializes in designing and implementing rigorous evaluation frameworks that deliver measurable outcomes, particularly within underserved communities. Her extensive experience includes collaboration with prominent organizations such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where she has led cross-border projects addressing health disparities. She applies her deep knowledge of grant management, stakeholder engagement, and policy analysis to each initiative, ensuring high-impact results.

As a former Regional Evaluator for the State of Texas, Dr. Villalobos has led high-impact projects across mental health and substance use prevention, applying evidence-based methodologies to assess program effectiveness. She has contributed significantly to the SAMHSA Strategic Prevention Framework, ensuring that data-driven approaches and cultural competence guide program development and delivery.

Fluent in both English and Spanish, Dr. Villalobos is committed to advancing equitable access to care for Latino populations, utilizing her certifications and expertise in trauma to foster community well-being. Her ability to translate complex data into actionable insights continues to empower organizations across the Southwest to enhance health outcomes and service delivery.