Biography
Johana currently serves as the Las Cruces City Councilor for District 4, where she has focused her efforts on ensuring the city prioritizes anti-poverty efforts to improve the quality of life for all Las Crucens.
Johana was born in Colonia Aldama, a small town in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. She migrated to the United States with her family when she was 8 years old. Johana has called Las Cruces home since she was 18 years old, having moved here to attend New Mexico State University, where she earned both her Bachelor of Arts in Government and Masters in Social Work.
She most recently served as the Executive Director for the faith-based organizing non-profit in Southern NM, NM CAFé. She worked with the non-partisan organization for 8 years. Johana has committed to a career in social justice and building power with historically excluded communities, primarily focusing on immigrant and workers’ rights. Prior to her work at NM CAFé, she worked for a federal TRIO program at NMSU, where she served as an academic advisor for first-generation and low-income students. Johana is now working with the national organization, Women’s Democracy Lab, supporting Indigenous Women and Women of Color in elected office throughout the country.
Johana is also a board member of the New Mexico Environmental Law Center, a field instructor for NMSU’s School of Social Work, a WK Kellogg Foundation Community Leadership Network Fellow, and a member of the Governor’s Advisory Council for Racial Justice.
Johana is also a wife, a dog mom, a community organizer, a lover of justice and New Mexico’s Borderlands.
Powers & Duties
City Charter Section 2.04 General Powers and Duties
All powers of the city shall be vested in the council, except as otherwise provided by law or this Charter, and the council shall provide for the exercise thereof and for the performance of all duties and obligations imposed on the city by law.
District News and Events
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Contact your District 4 Councilor
Email Johana Bencomo: [email protected]
Phone: (575) 541-2071