Laurie Magovern is a native to New Mexico and have been the Curator of Education at the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum since 2009. At the Balloon Museum, she helps ensure a visitor’s great experience, whether local or international. The Balloon Museum is emblematic of the culture of NM and its strong connection and internationally known reputation for ballooning. At the Balloon Museum, it is our business to say, with verve, hello to the world.

Currently, she serves as the president of the Rio Grande Down Syndrome Network which promotes inclusion and independence for over 300 families and individuals with Down Syndrome.  She is not an expert on Down Syndrome, other than raising her seven-year old daughter with Downs, which comes with a high learning curve in medical, educational, social and emotional considerations. She wants New Mexico to be a place that welcomes and embraces her daughter, who loves to say hello.

She is a professional storyteller, having presented at festivals, schools, libraries and theaters across New Mexico, Colorado and Washington, DC. For 15 years she has led workshops for teachers, librarians, museum professionals in the art of improvisation, storytelling and how to use it in educational settings. She has curated and presented the award-winning modern story time at the Balloon Museum weekly for 6 years, called Stories in the Sky. Over six years, Stories in the Sky has provided early childhood literacy, arts, sciences and has said hello to over 50,000 New Mexicans.

Personally, she loves the many and varied opportunities in Albuquerque, from Women and Creativity to Maple Street Dance and Pride Parade. Her family of 5 is overscheduled, cluttered with the fantastic and trivial.  Sometimes they forget to say goodbye to each other and sometimes their day’s deepest connection swells at ‘Hello.’