Stephanie Telles for Albuquerque City Council - District 1

I’m Stephanie Telles—mom, caregiver, educator, small business owner, and advocate for strong accountability. I’ve spent my career uncovering fraud, protecting vulnerable families, and helping organizations build systems that truly work for people.

Now, I’m ready to bring that same commitment to the Albuquerque City Council—because old keys don’t open new doors.

Albuquerque shaped who I am. It’s where I built my business, where my husband and I are raising our daughter, and where I’m caring for my mom, who lives with dementia. I know firsthand how our systems fall short—and how we can fix them.

As the founder of Otoño Consulting, I’ve worked with nonprofits, businesses, and government agencies to provide training and education in fraud risk prevention. Through that work, I’ve learned that doing the right thing—even when no one is watching—is how you build real trust.

Too often, the loudest voices and deepest pockets get fast-tracked while everyday families are left behind. I believe public service means listening, showing up, and always putting people first.

I’m running to bring heart, hard work, and real accountability to City Hall—and to serve this community with the honesty, empathy, and the grit it deserves.