I quit listening to people who questioned my choices and journey and started listening to my heart and my gut. This led me to my "heart's work" and believing that, "I am enough."
Teresa Ortberg-Aguilera · In Her Own Words
Her Story
About Teresa
Teresa Ortberg-Aguilera is a recently retired substance abuse prevention and community services professional with more than 20 years of experience serving individuals and families in Deming and Luna County, New Mexico. Throughout her career, she held a variety of leadership and service roles, including Certified Prevention Specialist for the Luna County DWI program, Teen Court Coordinator, and community service and operations leadership positions. Her work has focused on substance abuse prevention and counseling, DWI prevention, youth intervention, jail-based programming, and helping individuals address the underlying challenges affecting their lives.
Teresa's career is distinguished by her commitment to rehabilitation, behavioral change, and second chances. Through jail-based programs, including cognitive behavioral therapy and MRT, she helped contribute to a significant reduction in recidivism, from approximately 35% to 8%. She also became the first person in her county to receive certification through the national DWI prevention program in approximately 50 years and is one of only two certified MRT practitioners in Luna County. Beyond her professional responsibilities, Teresa founded Second Chances, a mentoring initiative dedicated to empowering women to become independent, confident, and successful, while also contributing to local community beautification efforts.
Teresa's approach to service is grounded in community, empowerment, self-sufficiency, mentorship, and collaboration. Drawing from her own 40 years of sobriety, she brings personal understanding, resilience, and compassion to her work with others. She credits her success to building strong relationships, working with committed teams, and knowing the right people who can help create meaningful change. Although retired, Teresa hopes to continue facilitating groups within the jail system while embracing new adventures, including her ambitious backyard transformation and a future goal of zip-lining in Belize.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Teresa
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to building strong relationships and surrounding myself with talented, dependable people. Having the right team and fostering a strong culture of collaboration have always been essential to my success.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to stay persistent, follow my passion, and remain open to new opportunities. I believe in continuously learning, embracing change, and pursuing work that genuinely matters to me while staying flexible as my career evolves.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don’t take “no” as the final answer. Stay persistent, pursue what you love, and take the time to discover your passion and purpose. When you find work that truly speaks to your heart, commit to it and keep moving forward.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges in my field are limited government funding and financial instability, which can restrict the effectiveness of essential programs. I also see a need for stronger leadership and greater understanding among those overseeing services, particularly in specialized areas such as case management and substance abuse support.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Community, empowerment, and self-reliance are core values in both my work and personal life. I believe in uplifting others not only by providing support, but by teaching them to believe in themselves, develop their strengths, and build the confidence to care for and support themselves.
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