About Reena
Hi, I’m State Representative Reena Szczepanski. I’m a mom, experienced leader, and long-time resident of Santa Fe. I was elected in 2022 to represent House District 47 and am honored to serve as House Majority Whip. I am the daughter of immigrants and the first Asian American to serve in legislative leadership in NM. My husband and I are raising our two amazing school-aged boys in our beautiful community where they were born.
I love our community, and I want to make sure that my kids have the opportunity to live and thrive in New Mexico and raise their own children here. Over my career, I have championed public health, drug policy reform, new women leaders, and served as Chief of Staff to Speaker Brian Egolf.
Our community’s voice is important to me, and I love listening to you.
More Background Information about Reena:
Volunteerism and Awards: Reena has served as President of the New Mexico Public Health Association and Chair of the Santa Fe County Health Policy and Planning Commission. In 2016, she was recognized as one of “40 under 40” by Albuquerque Business First. She was also honored by Somos Un Pueblo Unido with their Advocacy Award, named New Mexico Woman of the Year by Emerge New Mexico in 2018, and received the “Changing Lives Award” from Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains in 2022.
Professional Public Health Experience: As a teenager, Reena’s first internship as a caregiver for babies and toddlers affected by HIV/AIDS gave her a glimpse of the struggles faced by families living with serious medical illnesses. As an AmeriCorps Community Health Corps volunteer, she engaged in direct services with underserved communities in Providence, RI. After moving to New Mexico, she excelled in public health administration as Hepatitis Program Manager for the New Mexico Department of Health. Reena was State Director of Drug Policy Alliance, focusing on public health and criminal justice reform advocacy. Szczepanski led the successful effort for medical cannabis legislation, as well as substance abuse prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and criminal justice policy, including the first drug overdose “Good Samaritan” law in the nation, and making New Mexico the second state to adopt “Ban the Box” legislation to give people who have been incarcerated a better chance for employment.
Training New Women Leaders: Throughout Reena’s career, she has witnessed the need for more diverse elected officials who are grounded in community, leading to her work as Executive Director of Emerge New Mexico. Reena worked with women leaders across the state and loves to encourage them to run for office.
Education: Reena graduated from Brown University with a BA in Human Biology/Community Health.
