Meet our Executive Assistance & Celebrate the Future of Counseling
Photo by: Rachel Popowcer
Behind every well-run organization is someone supporting the operations of the association and helping make sure the details don’t fall through the cracks. At NMCA, our Executive Assistant plays a vital role in keeping everything running smoothly, managing schedules, streamlining communication, and handling key administrative tasks that support our leadership team. NMCA is lucky to have Tess Holtry fill this role. Tess is not only a valuable member of our team, but a current Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate student and future counselor. We asked Tess a couple of questions so our members can learn more about her role and what she enjoys most.
What do you feel has been the most significant contribution that you’ve made so far during your time as the Executive Assistant of NMCA?
The thing that I’m most proud of is getting more graduate students involved in NMCA. There were no graduate students involved before and it’s important to have that voice in the organization. I also believe that getting graduate students more opportunities and more connected to the organizations and the people that are at the top of their field is really essential.
What are you most excited for at the 2025 NMCA conference?
This year (2025-2026 term) is the 70th anniversary of NMCA, and it’s incredibly exciting that it’s been around that long and that people have been sustaining this organization through volunteering for 70 years. We are going to have a huge lineup of sessions that are connecting our past to our present and how we’re moving forward with Counseling in New Mexico.
Tess has opened doors for NMCA by connecting us to future counselors. We had an incredible group of student volunteers at the 2025 conference, many of whom have stayed connected through various NMCA Committees. The future of our profession is bright, and it’s reflected in the passion and enthusiasm of the next generation of counselors. Their drive to learn, grow, and serve is inspiring, and it reminds us of the importance of connection across experience levels. As an organization, we believe it’s essential to actively engage with future counselors, offering guidance, mentorship, and community.
We look forward to creating even more opportunities for student involvement in the years ahead, ensuring they feel supported and empowered as they step into the field.
In October 2025, Tess transitioned away from her role as Executive Assistant with NMCA. We are deeply grateful for her many contributions and continued dedication to our mission. While she has stepped back from her administrative position, she will remain an important part of our team by assisting with grant writing projects that support NMCA’s ongoing growth and community impact.
Do you have ideas? We would love to hear them! If you want to get involved, learn more here: https://www.nmca-nm.org/join-a-committee
