Meet the Director

Ellen Braden is the Acting Director for the Department of Health, Housing and Homelessness. Originally from Owensboro, Kentucky, she moved to New Mexico in 2002 and has dedicated two decades to advancing behavioral health, public health, and community well-being.

She began her career in direct services after earning her Bachelor’s in Psychology and Sociology, from Brescia College. Since 2005, Ms. Braden has played a key role in shaping behavioral health policy and funding, including helping to operationalize both Gateway Recovery and Gateway Medical Sobering Center, co-creating the City’s first mobile crisis teams in partnership with APD, developing peer wellness programs with AFR, and serving on the Mental Health Response Advisory Committee.

A founding member of Albuquerque Celebrates Recovery, she also serves on the City’s Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalition and remains active in cross-sector collaborations. A lifelong learner, Ms. Braden engages in adult education, leadership training, and collaborative initiatives to expand her impact. She is passionate about protecting funding for behavioral health and early intervention services across changing political landscapes and is committed to ensuring her leadership fosters equity, collaboration, and long-term community well-being.

Of all her titles, her favorite remains aunt to four nephews and a niece.