Sacco Connections LLC

Stacy Sacco has taught entrepreneurial studies at the UNM Anderson School of Management for the past 20 years including serving as the director of the UNM Small Business Institute, and as a Site Mentor for the UNM Rainforest Innovation Center and UNM TaosHIVE.  When not teaching, Stacy operates Sacco Connections LLC, a management consulting firm to help startups develop and implement successful business plans.  Stacy previously served as the VP of Sales and Marketing at the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, Marketing Manager for the CNM Workforce Training Center, and Rio Rancho Regional Manager for WESST Enterprise Center.  Prior to moving back to New Mexico from So. California in 1999, Stacy held national marketing management positions at AVCO Financial Services, Hyundai Motor America, and Transamerica Insurance Group.

Stacy earned an MBA from Pepperdine University, a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Arizona, and toured two years with the global leadership program, Up With People.  Stacy is active in the community including hosting a free website, www.nmnetlinks.com with 3,600+ links to local jobs and business resources for his 10,000+ followers and has served on several boards including the NM American Marketing Association, the Professional Aerospace Contractors Association of NM, TEDxABQ, and Toastmasters International District 23.   Stacy has been recognized as one of New Mexico’s Power Brokers; one of the Most Connected Businesspersons in Albuquerque and the Best Local to Lunch With.

African American Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce

Karla Kern Causey was born, raised, and educated in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Upon graduation from the University of New Mexico, she was recruited by the FBI and Sandia National Laboratory and chose to work for the laboratory (25 years) on its mission of the security and protection of the United States of America.

In 2022, Karla was recruited out of retirement (originally kicking and screaming, but now skipping and leaping) to become the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Black Chamber of Commerce of New Mexico. The last 21-months have been exhilarating as we expanded the resources offered to underserved and under-resourced businesses throughout the State of New Mexico; accepted two invitations to the White House; hosted a welcome reception and co-taught a workshop for the National Tuskegee Airmen Institute’s national conference; provided a workshop for the Small Business Administration’s T.H.R.I.V. E.; co- instructor for an Entrepreneurship course for the University of New Mexico’s Student Success Department; recipient of a “Living Legends” Award from the National Council of Negro Women (NCWC); serves on the Central NM Workforce Connection Board of Directors and the Finance and Operation committees, and currently serves as the treasurer; member of the City of Albuquerque’s ASCEND ABQ Tiger Team, and many other initiatives.

Karla has three successful adult sons and loves to travel and support mission trips, particularly in Africa.