Arrowhead Center at NMSU deputy director named among NM’s Women of Influence

Original Article | Adriana M. Chávez | adchavez@nmsu.edu | May 1, 2024

Dana Catron, deputy director of Arrowhead Center at New Mexico State University, was recently named among the 2024 Women of Influence by Albuquerque Business First.

Catron oversees multiple programs at Arrowhead Center, spearheads proposal and funding capture efforts and cultivates value-added partnerships across the region. Arrowhead Center is the engine for economic development and technology transfer for NMSU, and fosters economic opportunities through innovation and entrepreneurship.

Catron started her career at Arrowhead Center in 2010 as a graduate assistant. She serves as primary investigator on multiple grants and contracts, and is director of the New Mexico Clean Energy Resilience and Growth Cluster, which is housed at Arrowhead Center.

“I am incredibly humbled and honored to have received this recognition,” Catron said. “My professional journey to this point has been one of continuous learning and adaptation, driven by a deep commitment to fostering innovation and economic development in New Mexico.”

Catron attributed the recognition to the collective spirit and hard work of her team at Arrowhead Center.

“It is about the collaborative ethos we’ve fostered, where each member’s contribution is valued and plays a critical role in our collective success. It is also a reflection of the trust and support we’ve received from our clients and colleagues, without whom our journey would have been significantly more challenging.”

“Our Arrowhead team is extremely fortunate to have Dana as a leader and a major contributor to the success of our organization,” said Kathy Hansen, director of Arrowhead Center. “She has strong skills in team building, strategic planning, external funding pursuit, community relations, program development and implementation, and operations management. I am very proud of her recognition as a Woman of Influence in New Mexico. It is well-deserved.”

Catron, a native of Washington state, moved to New Mexico in 2009 to attend graduate school at NMSU, and decided to stay in the area after earning her degree.

“The decision for my husband and I to stay in New Mexico was not just a choice of residence, but a commitment to being part of a community that reflects our values and aspirations,” she said.