Alicia Ortega

Alicia Ortega (Santa Clara and Pojoaque Pueblos)
Junior Strategist
Blue Stone Strategy Group

As an accomplished scholar, active community leader, and skilled young professional, Alicia Ortega brings to Blue Stone Strategy Group a dedication to the betterment of Native Americans and boundless enthusiasm for serving her community.

After obtaining her Bachelor of Business Administration degree – with concentrations in Organizational Management and Entrepreneurial Studies – from the University of New Mexico, Anderson School of Management, Ortega immediately began graduate studies at the UNM Robert O. Anderson School of Management. There she studies Marketing and Management of Technology, and is on track to graduate in May of 2012. Her academic success has brought her several accolades, including being declared an American Indian Graduate Center Fellow.

In addition to her studies, Ortega spends time fostering her skills in on-campus organizations.  She served as the 2010-2011 President of UNM’s American Indian Business Association. In 2010, she was honored to represent the Anderson School of Management and the American Indian Business Association as she attended and presented the 2010 International Fostering Indigenous Business and Entrepreneurship in the Americas Conference in Manaus, Brazil. Ortega is also a member of the American Indian Business Leaders, Delta Sigma Pi Professional Business Fraternity, and the UNM AISES Chapter.

Her extracurricular diversification earned Ortega a position as the 2006 AISES Intern at the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, where she worked with the Biomedical Engineering Division. The following summer she was chosen to intern at the Argonne National Laboratory in Argonne, Illinois, in the Environmental Science Division. Most recently, Keres Consulting, Inc. – a Native American-owned consulting firm – chose Ortega as their summer 2011 Marketing and Business Development Intern. At Keres, Ortega gained experience with marketing new business initiatives. These included training opportunities, incorporating capability statements and proposal development, social media involvement, website redesign, and corporate communication.

Despite her busy schedule, Ortega is active in her community, volunteering for Project Share, The Storehouse, and The Watermelon Ranch. Additionally, as a member of the Pojoaque and Santa Clara Pueblos, Ortega makes a point to stay in touch with her heritage and heads home to participate in cultural activities and dances whenever possible.