Tina Garcia-Shams
Executive Director
Street Food Institute
tina@streetfoodinstitute.org
505 507-3132

Tina is a NM native with 27 years experience in private, public and non-profit sectors. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Political Science from UNM and an alternative teaching license in Social Studies from Santa Fe Community College. Tina served as a teacher, advisor and Community Engagement Director at Amy Biehl High School for 13 years and worked for several years in the private sector as a Human Resources Generalist and Manager. Tina currently serves on the Board of The Grants Collective, a non-profit that addresses the philanthropic divide that New Mexico faces by building nonprofit capacity for competitive grant seeking through professional development, shared resources, and access to expertise. She also serves on the Amy Biehl High School Foundation Board.

Julian Griego

Program Coordinator/Chef

julian@streetfoodinstitute.org
505 504-1018

Julian’s passion for culinary arts began very early in childhood learning to cook traditional New Mexican cuisine with his grandmother and grandfather. He is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, Las Vegas in 2005 and has worked as a cook and chef in Las Vegas as well as in many restaurants and other food service outlets around Albuquerque.

Julian has taught culinary arts at CNM’s Culinary Arts Program, has taught Culinary Arts at RFK Charter School and helped to develop the curriculum and training program for Street Food Institute. He believes strongly in the power of food to build communities, well being, and support families.

Emily Birch
Operations Director/ Event Coordinator
emily@streetfoodinstitute.org
505 269-1593

Emily is a Native New Mexican and a 2013 UNM graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She discovered her passion for culinary arts at CNM’s culinary program, where she first learned about the Street Food Institute. After completing an internship with SFI, Emily joined the team as an employee in 2015 and quickly worked her way up to a manager position. In 2018, she transitioned from the kitchen to become SFI’s Event Coordinator, allowing her to spend more time with her young children. In 2023, she took on the role of Operations Director, continuing to drive SFI’s mission forward. Contact Emily today to book with SFI!