Flora Sanchez, MA: President, FMS & Associates; Senior Trainer, Search Institute Building Assets with Cultural Competence

Flora Sánchez is a consultant, presenter and trainer, facilitator, nationally certified counselor, and educator with extensive knowledge and experience in the developmental assets model advanced by Search Institute.  As a contract trainer for Search Institute, Sánchez serves as a public speaker, trainer, and training program designer for organizations and communities interested in: building developmental assets for and with youth, starting a community-wide asset-building initiative, or creating community change on behalf of youth. She also assists Search Institute in developing effective models of community mobilization and training.

Sánchez has practical expertise in applying the Developmental Assets framework. As former Coordinator of the New Mexico Network of the Healthy Communities • Healthy Youth initiative, Sánchez facilitated and supported local leadership in New Mexico communities as they developed initiatives to support positive youth development. This included recruiting for and building the statewide network and providing technical assistance, consultation, training, and public speaking in each participating community. She was a founding member of her local community initiative, YouthFirst, and serves as co-chair of the statewide initiative, The New Mexico Forum for Youth in Community. Sanchez also worked to implement positive youth development policy through her elected position on the New Mexico State Board of Education.  Contracted by Search Institute since 1995, Sánchez has provided over 300 presentations and training events in 38 states, Canada and Brazil.

Sánchez is owner and president of FMS & Associates, where she serves as senior trainer and consultant involved in group facilitation, conflict resolution, negotiation, mediation, and multi-party disputes.