Kristen Gamboa serves as Executive Director of the Carlsbad Department of Development (CDOD), the economic development agency for the City of Carlsbad and Eddy County, New Mexico—one of the Permian Basin’s most dynamic growth corridors. Kristen works closely with companies navigating the unique challenges of expansion in Southeast New Mexico, with a focus on helping them align with local incentives, infrastructure opportunities, and regional partners.

Her prior experience spans statewide and corporate economic development, including leading business recruitment and marketing efforts as Director of Business Development at the New Mexico Partnership, serving as Senior Economic Developer for the Village of Los Lunas (landing major projects with Meta and Amazon), and helping secure a $1-billion solar manufacturing investment while at PNM Economic Development- an electric utility.

Kristen holds a bachelor’s degree in International Business and dual master’s degrees in Organizational Management and Psychology. She is passionate about practical, collaborative economic development across the NM/TX region—and helping companies cut through red tape and market differences to find the right project fit.