OUR MISSION: We are New Mexico business leaders who collaborate with employers to promote and accomplish the business imperative of including people with disabilities in the workforce.

The Business Leadership Network (BLN) is a program that was developed in 1994 by the President’s Council for the Employment of Individuals with Disabilities with support by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Department of Labor. 

The US Business Leadership Network® (USBLN®) is the national disability organization that serves as the collective voice of over 60 Business Leadership Network affiliates across North America and Canada, representing over 5,000 employers. The USBLN® helps build workplaces, marketplaces, and supply chains where people with disabilities are respected for their talents, while supporting the development and expansion of its BLN affiliates.  

In New Mexico this venture began several years ago through the efforts of a group of visionary business and community leaders. Though much interest was generated at the time, it wasn’t until funding was secured in 2001 that the New Mexico BLN community was able to begin to build on that initial enthusiasm.  The USBLN® and its many distinct state and regional affilaites comprise the only national disability organization led by employers for employers to promote the business imperative of including people with disabilities in the workforce, marketplace and supply chain.

Funding to create, develop, and grow the New Mexico Business Leadership Network (NMBLN) was initially provided by the New Mexico Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (NMDVR). Originally contracted through the Colorado Business Leadership Network, NMBLN became an independent 501(c) 3 non-profit organization in June 2006 and develops its funding streams through multiple program- and mission-based channels.

The New Mexico Chapter of the BLN has experienced many successes since its inception, and has truly been a resource for both the business community as well as the state and community service agencies that it serves.

Some of our accomplishments include:

• Tessah Latson, Program Director, Wins NM Business Weekly’s 2009 Forty Under 40 Award (August 27, 2009)
•  Leah Rhule, Executive Director, Wins SBA's 2007 New Mexico Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year Award-(March 12, 2007)
• NM Business Leadership Network Celebrates Collaborative Veteran-Run Café Initiative with the Grand Opening of a 2nd Café Location at the Altura Office Complex-(August 25, 2006)
• Employers' Disability Resource/ NM Business Leadership Network and Community Partners Honored with U.S. Department of Labor's Recognition of Excellence Award - (July 27, 2006)
• NM Business Leadership Network wins the 2005 Human Resource Excellence Award - (December 1, 2005)

For more information on BLNs nationally, or how to begin your own chapter, the US BLN's website is the resource for you.