Employee Contact List

Internal Audit contact information

Employee Bios

Marisa C. Vargas, City Auditor

Marisa brings over 20 years of comprehensive assurance and consulting experience, with a specialized focus on the non-profit and government sectors. She began her auditing career at New Mexico Student Loans, where she conducted compliance and performance audits, and later joined Sandia National Laboratories. During her decade at Sandia, Marisa advanced through a series of key roles, including Contract Auditor and Internal Auditor, ultimately serving as Audit Supervisor for six years.

Marisa’s leadership and dedication to the internal audit profession have been widely recognized. She served as Chapter President of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Albuquerque Chapter for six years and continues to contribute as the Chapter's Past President. Her academic background includes a bachelor's degree in finance and economics and a master's in accounting, both from the University of New Mexico.

In addition to her academic and professional credentials, Marisa is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), a Certified Internal Controls Auditor (CICA), and a Certified Internal Controls Specialist (CICS). Her journey with the City of Albuquerque began as a Contract Auditor, where her high-quality performance and leadership led to her promotion as Internal Audit Manager.

In June 2025, Marisa was appointed by the City Council as the City Auditor for the City of Albuquerque. Her vision, integrity, and steadfast commitment to excellence continue to elevate the work of the Office of Internal Audit.

Vanessa Meske, Lead Auditor

Vanessa possesses over seven years of specialized experience in auditing and investigations, combining her academic background with practical expertise. While pursuing her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and her master’s in business administration, Vanessa gained valuable experience working at a tribal casino, where she honed her skills in surveillance, risk management, and auditing over a four-year period.

Her career progressed as she joined MGM Resorts International as an Internal Auditor, where she conducted Title 31 compliance audits across 15 MGM properties, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards in a high-stakes environment.

Vanessa’s commitment to the auditing profession is reflected in her role as Vice President of Programs on the IIA Albuquerque Chapter Board and her attainment of the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) credential and Certified Internal Controls Auditor (CICA). She was initially hired as a Principal Auditor with the Office of Internal Audit, where her strong performance led to her promotion to Lead Auditor.

Connie Barros-Montoya, Principal Auditor 

Connie brings 24 years of extensive experience in financial services, lending, customer service, and collections within the private sector. She also has 6 years of specialized experience with the State of New Mexico's Taxation and Revenue Department, where she served as an auditor for the International Fuel Tax Association (IFTA), the International Registration Program (IRP), and the Weight Distance Tax (WDT) programs. Connie joined the City of Albuquerque in 2019 as a Staff Auditor and has since been promoted to Principal Auditor. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business with a minor in accounting from the University of Phoenix. Her professional development includes an IT General Controls Certificate (May 2023), a Certified Internal Controls Auditor designation (September 2023), and an Internal Audit Practitioner certification (May 2024).

Mark Jaramillo, Principal Auditor

Mark has over 4 years of experience performing financial statement audits for local governments, state agencies, non-profit organizations, and tribal entities. Throughout this time, he has developed a strong expertise in auditing processes, financial reporting, and compliance within the public and non-profit sectors. Mark holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from the University of New Mexico, providing a solid foundation in auditing and accounting principles and practices. 

Leslie Rendon, Executive Operations Coordinator

Leslie Rendon has dedicated over 14 years of service to the City of Albuquerque, contributing in various roles across multiple departments. She began her career at the Cultural Services Department’s Albuquerque Museum of Art and History, and later served in the Albuquerque Police Department, the Planning Department, and the Department of Municipal Development.

In 2020, Leslie joined the Office of Internal Audit (OIA) as the Administrative Coordinator. She was promoted to Staff Auditor in 2022, while continuing to serve as Interim Administrative Coordinator for the majority of that time. In May 2025, she was appointed Executive Operations Coordinator, where she now provides strategic and operational leadership for the Office of Internal Audit, the Accountability in Government Oversight Committee, and the Citizens’ Independent Salary Commission. She also supports the Office of Inspector General on an as-needed basis.

Leslie holds an Associate’s degree in Integrated Studies from Central New Mexico Community College and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in General Business at New Mexico State University. She earned an IT General Controls Certificate in May 2023 and obtained her Certified Responsible Government Auditor (CRGA) designation in September 2024.

Stacy Martin, Staff Auditor

Stacy brings over 25 years of diverse experience in finance, lending, servicing, fraud detection, collections, mortgage services, and customer service within the private sector. She holds a bachelor's degree in financial management, an MBA in accounting, and a dual master's degree in management from National American University. Stacy joined the City as a Staff Auditor in October 2021, and recently, in May 2023, she earned an IT General Controls Certificate, further expanding her expertise in the field.