About Stephanie

I’m Stephanie Telles—mom, caregiver, educator, small business owner, and advocate for strong accountability. I’ve spent my career uncovering fraud, protecting vulnerable families, and helping organizations build systems that truly work for people.

Now, I’m ready to bring that same commitment to the Albuquerque City Council—because old keys don’t open new doors.

Albuquerque shaped who I am. It’s where I built my business, where my husband and I are raising our daughter, and where I’m caring for my mom, who lives with dementia. I know firsthand how our systems fall short—and how we can fix them.

As the founder of Otoño Consulting, I’ve worked with nonprofits, businesses, and government agencies to provide training and education in fraud risk prevention. Through that work, I’ve learned that doing the right thing—even when no one is watching—is how you build real trust.

Too often, the loudest voices and deepest pockets get fast-tracked while everyday families are left behind. I believe public service means listening, showing up, and always putting people first.

I’m running to bring heart, hard work, and real accountability to City Hall—and to serve this community with the honesty, empathy, and the grit it deserves.

Work Experience

  • Owner/Founder, Otoño Consulting, LLC, 2023-present

  • Adjunct Faculty Member, MACCT Program. UNM-Anderson School of Management, 2023-Present 

  • Director, Government Accountability Office, State of New Mexico Office of the State Auditor. 2019-2022 

  • Operations Analyst, Wells Fargo & Co., NA, 2013-2019

Community Involvement

  • Member, United Academics of the University of New Mexico (UA-UNM) #6662 

  • Marie Hughes Elementary School, Community Council Member, 2024-Present

  • Gubernatorial Appointee: Policy Advisory Committee: New Mexico Aging & Long-Term Services Department, 2023 - Present 

  • Mayoral Appointee: Member-at-large: Library Advisory Board: Albuquerque and Bernalillo County Oct 2022 - Present

  • Advisory Council Member: Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) Global 2022 - Present · 

  • Member Board of Directors: ACFE New Mexico Chapter #50, 2020 - Present

  • Advisory Board Member, Alzheimer's Association- New Mexico Chapter, 2022 - 2023

  • Chair, Central NM Walk to End Alzheimer's & AIM Volunteer and Advocate: Alzheimer's Association- NM Chapter,  2019 - 2022  

  • Albuquerque Business First,  New Mexico Diverse Business Leader Honoree, 2020 

  • Albuquerque Business First,  New Mexico Forty Under Forty Honoree, 2018


Education

  • University of New Mexico, Master of Business Administration, 2013

  • New Mexico State University, Bachelor of Art in Government, Bachelor of Art in Philosophy (emphasis on ethics), 2008  

  • Association of Certified Fraud Examiners CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner), 2016

Personal

  • Married to Adrian Telles and we have a four year-old daughter