Nava reflects on experience in nationwide emerging leaders program

BERNALILLO — New Mexico Sen. Cindy Nava recently traveled to the University of Virginia to learn about bipartisanship during a weeklong program for new state lawmakers nationwide.

Nava, a Democrat from Bernalillo elected last year, participated in the 2025 Emerging Leaders Program, sponsored by the State Legislative Leaders Foundation, held July 7-10 at the Darden School of Business at UVA in Charlottesville, according to a news release. Nava joined the program after being nominated by legislative leaders, the release said.

“I think during these times — more than ever, perhaps — I thought it would really be substantive to do this through a bicameral, bipartisan lens and then bring (what I learned) back home,” Nava said.

The program brought 49 state legislators, in their first or second terms, from 39 states plus Puerto Rico together to examine characteristics of leadership in classes led by Darden School professors and officials from the Leaders Foundation. Legislators, who were asked to read certain books prior to attending, also participated in breakout sessions with their peers. The legislators earned a certificate upon completion of the program.

“(Political affiliations) were left outside the room,” Nava said. “Everyone was very intentional in diving into conversations with the lens of respect — even if we agreed to disagree. It was powerful.”

The junior senator said she learned the ins and outs of policy-making, legislation and coalition building through another lens: academics. Seeing those topics through that perspective was important because the legislative session doesn’t present that opportunity, Nava said.

The Democratic lawmaker used part of the program to tell her counterparts about Senate Bill 364, which allows legal permanent residents and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients the ability to become police officers. Nava, herself a DACA recipient, co-sponsored the legislation, later signed into law, with Sen. Craig Brandt, R-Rio Rancho. Nava’s talk about the Senate bill made an impact on legislators in other states.

“By the end, I had a colleague in Minnesota come up to me and say he was going to introduce that same legislation — and he’s on the other side of the aisle,” Nava said.

Nava also met Utah Rep. Doug Fiefia, a Republican. The two lawmakers sat behind one another during class and strolled through campus together, reflecting on what they learned.

“I told him, ‘I really think it’s important we have the ability to listen to each other,’” Nava said. “Ultimately, if we want to do something that benefits the community, we’d better be able to talk ... and come to an agreement and pass pieces of legislation.”

In an interview with the Observer, Fiefia called Nava sharp, well-spoken and nonjudgmental of anyone’s political affiliation.

“We (Republicans) lowered our guard ... because we could see Cindy had that experience of working across the aisle,” Fiefia said. “I was very impressed with her. I think she’s going to be a rising star, for sure.”

Nava said she plans to stay in touch with Fiefia because even though the two lawmakers work in different states, “we’re all working to ... help the communities that we represent.”

Nava said she will reflect on her conversations at UVA with other lawmakers as inspiration to craft new legislation.