Trainer Bios
Ginny Adame
Degrees: Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a Minor in Psychology
Certifications: Senior Certified Prevention Specialist (SCPS), Certified Public Official (C.P.O.)
Ms. Adame began her work in prevention in 1996 following her work as a Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Victim Advocate. While working with people impacted by violence, Ms. Adame was drawn to the field of prevention in hopes of decreasing the number of youth and families impacted by violence and substance misuse in the future. The unique thing about prevention is when it is practiced utilizing evidence-based prevention practices/theory it can have a wider than expected reach. For example, work in Bullying prevention, which might focus on building social and healthy coping skills research has shown that this will not only impacts Bullying, but it can also impact substance use and other areas important to one’s overall health and wellness. Evidence-based prevention which focuses on increasing resiliency and decreasing risk has many beneficial effects potentially producing a very broad reach with impact ranging from decreases in substance misuse, suicide, violence, teen pregnancy, and juvenile delinquency to increases in success in school, positive health outcomes, and connectivity to the community.
Ms. Adame has been a Certified Prevention Specialist 2008 and has been working in field of prevention on and off for 15 years and is currently one of only (7) Senior Certified Prevention Specialists in the State of New Mexico. Ms. Adame has worked extensively in community based prevention, serving on numerous local and state boards focused on health, safety, and wellness.
Jason Anderson
Senior Trainer for The Montana Institute
Upon his discharge from the United States Army, Jason obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice (Minor in Psychology) at Moorhead State University. He worked in the field of probation for 25 years – spending a decade as an adult felony probation/parole agent and 5 years as the Evidence-Based Practices Project Manager/Trainer for the Minnesota Dept. of Corrections. The last decade of his corrections career was spent as the Director of the Itasca County Probation Department in northern Minnesota. In addition to his duties as a probation officer and manager, he has served as a consultant and trainer of various topics since 2001. Jason has developed curriculum and delivered training nationally for agencies that include the National Institute of Corrections, the American Probation and Parole Association, and The Montana Institute. A father of 2 boys (ages 19 and 22), he enjoys spending time outdoors with his family, singing in his church choir and dabbles in community theater.
Paula Feathers
Degrees: BUS (Native American Studies/Psychology) and MA (Administrative Leadership)
Paula Feathers (Pawnee/Cherokee) is an organizational development consultant whose services include: facilitation, training (both in person and online), system development, project management, grant writing, and strategic planning. Paula’s areas of specialty are substance use prevention and strength and outcome-based approaches to community work. Paula owns her own business, Kamama Consulting, that provides services to Tribes, states, and community organizations. Some of her notable projects include directing federally funded Tribal prevention projects, directing a statewide substance use prevention training system, and co-evaluating a federally funded Tribal prevention grant. Paula received her undergraduate University Studies degree from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. Ms. Feathers received her master’s degree in Administrative Leadership from the University of Oklahoma in Norman. She was raised in the Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico.
Tiffany Martinez-Durant
Degrees: BSHED, MS
Certifications: CPS
Tiffany has worked in prevention in multiple capacities since 2004. Starting as a high school student working with New Mexico Highlands University, she advocated for alcohol prevention in middle school and high schools across New Mexico. Upon receiving her undergraduate education degree from The University of New Mexico, she educated UNM students on multiple substance abuse prevention facets, working boots on the ground to ensure students had the tools to live a healthy and smarter lifestyle. She then became the grant manager for the entire New Mexico Higher Education Prevention Consortium, assisting universities across the state in fulfilling their grant objectives including the development of coalitions, creation of objectives and contracts, strategic planning, and as technical assistance support. While working in Substance Abuse Prevention, she obtained her Certified Prevention Specialist Certification and was a member of CADCA and NASPA. Tiffany went on to complete her graduate studies in community health with an emphasis in public health disparities and obtained her Master Certified Health Education Specialist certification. She currently works at UNM’s Student Health and Counseling as their Health Promotion Manager where she oversees all facets of physical, nutritional, sexual, and mental health prevention programming, healthy campus initiatives, and health communications for the entire student body. Because of her current work, Tiffany is heavily involved with the American College Health Association and is a member of the American Public Health Association. Her experiences bring a unique outlook to her facilitation style as she integrates insights from all aspects of her past to better help her learners understand material. She is always willing to go above and beyond to ensure everyones’ needs are met and aims at making a safe, fun learning environment for all.