By Sara Atencio-Gonzales, The Paper. – Roberta Ricci knows what it means to build a life through hard work, community and opportunity.
As the Chief Experience Officer of the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce, Ricci oversees membership, marketing, convention and tourism efforts while helping connect small businesses across New Mexico with the resources they need to grow. But her path to leadership was far from traditional.
“I was born and raised in Albuquerque, South Valley, and I went back to school late in life,” says Ricci. “I had children first and then decided to go back to school to get my degrees.”
Ricci earned both her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from the University of New Mexico after becoming a young mother. She explains that those experiences, along with strong female mentors she met early in her career at the UNM Alumni Association, helped shape the way she leads today.
“It was the first time I had ever experienced women in leadership in that way,” says Ricci. “And I think that really shaped how I led, how I treated people, and just the passion I guess I have for giving back to my community.”
Founded in 1975, the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce is now one of the largest Hispanic chambers in the country and the largest chamber of commerce in New Mexico. The organization supports roughly 1,000 business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals with a focus on economic development, workforce education and small business growth.
Ricci says much of her work centers around helping local businesses navigate rising costs, staffing challenges and marketing struggles.
“A lot of that is just costs, rising costs, getting good employees that they can keep,” says Ricci. “And then also sometimes marketing their business if they’re not really familiar with social media and how that works.”
The chamber offers programs that help businesses with everything from HR and legal support to procurement opportunities and networking. Ricci explains that helping small businesses find their footing is one of the most rewarding parts of her role.
“We see businesses all the time that are very small businesses, and they’re just looking for resources,” says Ricci.
One recent success story involved a local coffee truck owner looking to expand into a permanent space. “We finally found them a home here at the Chamber downstairs,” says Ricci. “They’ll be opening up later on in June and having their first brick-and-mortar. It’s kind of making those impacts into our business community that just gets me excited every day.”
Ricci was recently recognized as one of Albuquerque Business First’s 2026 Women Who Mean Business honorees, an award she described as deeply personal. “I was basically on my own since I was 15 years old,” says Ricci. “My work to get to where I am today has not been easy.”
She hopes her story can inspire other women, especially young women from underserved communities, to believe in themselves and pursue leadership opportunities even when self doubt creeps in.
“If somebody sees something in you and they’re giving you an opportunity – even if you don’t know that you’re ready for it – if somebody sees it in you, then you do,” says Ricci.
To learn more about the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce, upcoming events and small business resources, community members can visit the Chamber’s website (ahcnm.org). The chamber regularly hosts networking events, business workshops, cultural celebrations and signature events throughout the year aimed at helping Albuquerque businesses grow and thrive.