Micaela Lara Cadena

Cadena was born and raised in Mesilla, New Mexico. After graduating from Las Cruces High School, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in International/Global Studies from Trinity College and a Master of Arts in Community and Regional Planning from the University of New Mexico.^[3][4]

Cadena previously worked at the New Mexico Corrections Department as the Bureau Chief of Recidivism Reduction. While serving in the House, Cadena continues to work as the Research Director of Young Women United, a non-profit aimed at policy change and research.^[5][6] Cadena assumed office on January 15, 2019, succeeding Bill McCamley, who left the House to become the Secretary for the Department of Workforce Solutions.^[7]