Staff Contact Information
Susan's Legacy Counseling: Your Path to Healing
Main office: (505) 967-7395 FAX: (505) 843-8449
Thank you for being a part of Susan’s Legacy. We are honored to support you in your recovery and progress. To provide the best services to support your goals, please pay close attention the following roles:
Kathryn Weil, PhD- Executive Director
Carolina Ortega, LPCC- Clinical Supervisor, 505-750-4471
Jaineen Sims- Intensive Case Manager, 505-967-7395
Juliette Varela - Intensive Case Manager, 505-967-8300
Don Sherry, MA, LMHC- Addiction Counselor, 505-967-0109
Please know we make every effort to return calls as soon as possible, but we request you allow us 24 hours to return your call if we don’t answer right away. If you are in need of support or have a question, please contact the staff member who is supporting you on this matter. If you require an immediate response from any of us, please send a group text message to ALL staff so the first available staff member can respond and keep the team in the loop.
If you have an emergency that requires immediate support, please contact 988.
Meet Our Staff
Kathryn Weil, PhD
Kathryn Weil has been the Executive Director of Susan’s Legacy since 2012. She is a retired educator having served as the Head of School for a private school for eleven years; as Assistant Superintendent for Accountability and Information Services with the New Mexico State Department of Education; and as an administrator for the Albuquerque Public Schools and the Rio Rancho Public Schools. She also held a part-time faculty position at the UNM College of Education for 10 years. In addition, Dr. Weil has 10 years of experience as an elementary school counselor at various schools within the APS system. She has served on the boards of several non-profit organizations and enjoys quilting, spending time with her grandchildren, and gardening.
Carolina Ortega, MA, LPCC, NCC, GCDF
Carolina is a bilingual counselor who provides trauma-informed, culturally relevant outpatient therapy, case management, and advocacy for children, adolescents and their families. As one of the first in her family to enter and successfully complete a higher education degree, Carolina is passionate about addressing mental health and educational disparities in New Mexico. Carolina’s education consists of a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Spanish, a Master’s degree in mental health counseling from the University of New Mexico, and is a board approved clinical supervisor.
Prior to becoming a therapist, Carolina served her community through direct support, community advocacy, and independent research presentations, participating in local and national conferences sharing her techniques as a presenter, plenary speaker, and educator.
As an alumni fellow for the National Board for Certified Counselors Minority Youth Fellowship, Carolina continues to engage in multiple community support roles. Since 2018, Carolina has volunteered as a mentor at a local and national level through El Puente de Encuentros and the National Board for Certified Counselors Fellowship.
Carolina utilizes each individual’s strengths in combination with evidence-based modalities to help others heal from adverse life experiences, trauma, and to help break down the stigma of mental health.
Jaineen Sims, Intensive Case Manager
Jaineen Sims has been a Case Manager at Susan’s Legacy since 2019. She is certified in Comprehensive Community Support Services. Prior to coming to Susan's Legacy, she was employed as a Case Manager for six years with ResCare Workforce. Jaineen has a strong commitment to serving the needs of disadvantaged youth and adults including adults with learning disabilities, mental health & substance abuse disorders, ex-offenders and displaced individuals. She is also skilled in building community support which will allow her to contribute her skills and experiences. Jaineen’s extensive background in the Human Service field has allowed her to enhance her Customer and Interpersonal skills. Her experiences have fueled her passion to make a difference in the lives of others. Jaineen is currently completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and while doing so, continues to advocate for organizations and individuals in need of her assistance.
Don Sherry, MA, LMHC
Don started at Susan's Legacy in 2022. He has been a continuous resident of New Mexico since 1980. He is a graduate of the counseling program at Southwestern College in Santa Fe. In addition to his work as an addiction counselor for many years, Don worked as a grief and loss bereavement counselor for Presbyterian Hospital Hospice in Albuquerque. Prior to his work as a mental health counselor, he worked as a nurse's aide in the in-patient unit for Presbyterian Hospice. Additionally, he served as Programming Coordinator for public access television in Albuquerque and as the Managing director for public access television in Santa Fe. He is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Juliette Varela, MA, Intensive Case Manager
Juliette Varela brings over 25 years of experience in social services, providing advocacy, guidance, and individualized support to diverse populations. Throughout her career, she has worked with individuals experiencing substance use disorders, eating disorders, domestic violence, and mental and behavioral health challenges.
Juliette is dedicated to empowering individuals, connecting them with meaningful resources, and helping them achieve stability, independence, and personal growth. She believes everyone deserves dignity, compassion, and respect, regardless of their circumstances or past experiences.
Central to her philosophy is the belief that lasting change requires personal commitment, perseverance, and a willingness to do the difficult work. While others can provide guidance and encouragement, no one can do that work for another person. She recognizes that setbacks are part of the journey and believes what matters most is not how many times someone falls, but their willingness to get back up and try again.
Juliette is especially passionate about helping women rediscover their strengths and work toward healing, recovery, and self-sufficiency. She believes no one should be defined by their past and that everyone deserves the opportunity to build a brighter future.
