Dorian Dodson, Secretary

Children, Youth & Families Department

Governor Richardson named Dorian Dodson as the permanent Cabinet Secretary-Designate of the Children, Youth and Families Deptartmetn on June 1 st, 2006.  She was unanimously confirmed to that position during the 2007 session of the New Mexico State Legislature.

Ms. Dodson has been with CYFD for more than eight years and has served as a director of two of CYFD’s three service areas:  Protective Services and Family Services. In addition, she served as Deputy Cabinet Secretary from February through June 2006.   Prior to serving the families of New Mexico in those roles, Secretary Dodson had worked with homeless individuals and families in our state for more than two decades, serving in both public and private positions. She has among other positions served as the director of St. Elizabeth’s Homeless Shelter in Santa Fe, and she served as executive director of the New Mexico State Family Planning Council in the 1970’s . 

Ms. Dodson has lived in New Mexico for more than half of her life, having been raised and educated in New York City. She believes there is nothing more important than working in the field of human services.