Our Team
LeadershipBuilding the Infrastructure to Connect an Ecosystem
NMIH is led by people committed to expanding New Mexico’s capacity to turn innovation into economic opportunity.
Our work is collaborative by design, informed by entrepreneurs, researchers, companies, investors, universities, laboratories, government and community partners across the state.
David J. Perez
David Perez is the Founder and CEO of the New Mexico Innovation Hub (NMIH), where he is leading the development of a new center for technology commercialization, entrepreneurship, advanced manufacturing, workforce development, and innovation at Santa Fe’s Midtown campus.
An accomplished technology entrepreneur, David has founded and built B2B and B2C companies spanning healthcare technology, data analytics, and digital marketing. He has extensive experience in capital formation, sales and marketing, SaaS platforms, mergers and acquisitions, and business development.
David founded Seamless Medical Systems, a healthcare technology platform acquired by GetWellNetwork in 2017, and Lumina Americas (later Latin Force), an early Hispanic digital marketing agency that worked with brands including Nike, Pepsi, Wells Fargo, the NFL, and MTV. As CEO of The Santa Fe Group, he led the sale of its Shared Assessments program to OneTrust in 2021.
David is a graduate of the University of Vermont and lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Founder and CEO
Gay Dillingham
Gay Dillingham is the founder of CNS Communications, LLC and is an award-winning producer/director. Her feature documentary titled, "Dying to Know: Ram Dass & Timothy Leary" narrated by Robert Redford completed its' run on Netflix. The film is available at www.dyingtoknowmovie.com
Partnering with her husband, David Perez they’ve launched the New Mexico Innovation Hub.
Gay co-founded and managed two environmental IP technology companies. The non-toxic consumer products (CPG division) of Earthstone International, LLC was successfully sold in late 2019. She continues with Earthstone (dba Green Engineered technology) developing its' break-through patented technology in additional areas such as green building materials and runway arrestor systems.
Gay has served the public and not for profit organizations most of her life. She chaired the Environmental Improvement Board in charge of environmental management and consumer protection for the state of New Mexico for 8 years passing landmark regulations. She served six years on the Bioneers BOD and is currently on its' Honorary Board. She currently Chairs the Santa Fe Film and Digital Media Council and is President of the BOD, Wild Earth Guardians. Board member, Biomimicry for Social Innovation and Advisor to Creative Santa Fe.
Partner
Operations DirectorKelly Stanhope
As the Operations Director for the New Mexico Innovation Hub. I focus on the structural and human mechanics that keep organizations running smoothly. I sit at the unique intersection of complex operational leadership and human capability development.
I handle the physical, logistical, and technical infrastructure of a multi-tenant technology campus. I keep behind the scenes running reliably so that our tenants can focus entirely on scaling their businesses.
It is an incredibly exciting time for our ecosystem as we lay the groundwork to expand from our current facility at Benildus Hall into a state-of-the-art, 5-acre innovation campus designed to accelerate clean energy, bioscience, and tech-transfer initiatives. My focus is on ensuring our operational activities remain seamless, compliant, and supportive of our growing community.
Alongside my facility work, I operate a long-standing consulting practice centered on organizational development, mediation, and executive coaching. Just as I optimize physical spaces, I work with leaders and teams to resolve operational misalignments, mediate internal conflicts, and build the clear communication frameworks necessary for sustainable growth.
Our Advisory Board
Duncan McBranch
Director Strategic Alliances
LANL
Ward Hendon
Managing Partner
Dangerous Ventures
Dana Catron
President and CEO
Santa Fe Business Incubator
Ryan Cangiolosi
Director Economic and Community Development
University of New Mexico Health Sciences
Becky Rowley
President
Santa Fe Community College
John Engen
CEO
New Mexico Consortium
Ed Craig
President
Carbongenics
Stu Rose
Founder
NM Bioscience Center
Srinivas Mukkamala
Entrepreneur and Board of Regents
New Mexico Tech
Debbie Lee
Program Operations Director
ARID Institute University of New Mexico
Lee Rand
Partner
Cottonwood Tech
Contact Us
Connect With NMIH
Have a general question, media inquiry or something else you’d like to discuss? Get in touch with the NMIH team.
Looking for space, capital, talent, commercialization support or partnership opportunities?