Panel of Professionals

Kathleen (Kathy) Haaland is a tenured Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center. She is board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology and the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology. She has published over 100 papers and chapters largely focused on the cognitive and neuroanatomical correlates of action in stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, and Huntington’s Disease. Her research was continuously funded from 1981 to 2014, and in addition to serving as the Director of Neuropsychology at the New Mexico VA Healthcare System she was a VA Research Career Scientist from 2004-2014. She has been recognized by the National Academy of Neuropsychology with a Lifetime Career Contribution Award, and she has been the president of the International Neuropsychological Society, the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology and the Society of Clinical Neuropsychology of APA. She was the Editor of the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society from 2004 to 2014, and most recently she is one of the editors of the APA Handbook of Neuropsychology.

Dr. Kristina Sowar is a board-certified Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatrist, and Associate Professor at the University of New Mexico. She is originally from Colorado but has been at UNM since 2010. She is Program Director for the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship, Medical Director for Emergency Child Psychiatry Services, and runs a clinic dedicated to caring for individuals with eating disorders at UNM. Dr. Sowar very much enjoys education and community outreach endeavors. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family (and 2 little ones!) and enjoying the outdoors and traveling.

Layla M. Dehaiman is the Director of School Climate for Albuquerque Public Schools. Layla grew up in New Mexico and attended Albuquerque Public Schools. In her work she focuses on building capacity with students and staff to create positive, inclusive, and supportive environments through the use of social emotional learning, restorative practices, bullying prevention, suicide prevention, and other humanistic behavior supports for students. She is currently a Doctoral Candidate at Syracuse University and is focusing her dissertation on the school-to-prison-pipeline and restorative practices. In her free time she is an avid urban gardener, baker, cook, fermenter, and loves to be outdoors.

Vanessa Palmer is a Native New Mexican and a Licensed Master's Social Worker. Vanessa has over 14 years of experience working with children, youth and families in various environments. Vanessa worked for Albuquerque Public Schools in an Elementary School setting for 11 years as a Kindergarten Educator, Special Education/Inclusion Educator, Redirector, and Title I Reading Interventionist. Following APS, she pursued a career as a Registered Behavioral Technician in which she provided In-Home Therapy for children with Autism. As she began her education and passion for social work, she was employed and served the population without homes at the Albuquerque Center for Hope and Recovery as a Pathway Navigator, Peer Support Counselor (facilitating groups), and Job Developer. Vanessa gained extensive experience in Trauma-Informed Care while she worked at Children, Youth and Families Department as an In-Home Services Practitioner and Placement Supervisor for three years. Vanessa is currently a clinical social worker for a middle school in the Albuquerque Public School district and serves adolescents with Individualized Educational Plans (IEP's). Vanessa is also a part-time therapist and provides individual and family counseling with traditional and holistic therapeutic approaches for all ages at Odyssey Counseling. Vanessa has a passion for working with children, youth and families from New Mexico and believes that providing support is the key to positive outcomes. Vanessa will continue to serve the communities of New Mexico and adhere to the social work mission and values daily.