FOUNDER, DIRECTOR & CO-CREATOR

Julia Munroe Mandeville is an award-winning cultural worker, curator, writer, civic artist, and grassroots organizer. With the dream that we can make a joyous, just, and peaceful future by and for all, Julia builds open public programs for lifelong learning, creative expression, self discovery, and collective impact. With decades of field experience, Julia holds/held leadership roles at Harwood Art Center, SOMOS ABQ, Creative ABQ, Tricklock Theatre Company, Albuquerque Poet Laureate Program, and more. She’s a 2024-25 Women’s Impact Alliance Catalyst Fellow, 2025 Hambidge Center for the Arts & Sciences Creative Residency Fellow, and 2025 City of Albuquerque Creative Bravos Award Recipient. Previous honors include the National Philanthropy Day New Mexico Outstanding Young Nonprofit Professional of the Year Award, Americans for the Arts Emerging Leaders Scholarship Award, and ABQ Business First 40 Under 40 Award. At home where the Sandias and Manzanos meet, she lives and makes in Albuquerque, on Tiwa Lands, with her beloveds James and Iris. In 2023. after years of imagining, she officially established Mirror Bridge.

CO-CREATOR

Maria Manuela is a writer, curator, and model based in Santa Fe, where she carries the legacy of a family who has lived there for tens of generations. Motivated by stories, she seeks words that convey the human experience, and all the ways that magic manifests. Maria has been writing about artists and their work for nearly a decade, and it's been her lifelong dream to write about fashion too. Maria’s words have appeared in publications including Hyperallergic, Fashionista, Wild Sam, New Mexico Magazine, UNUM Magazine, Edible NM, Good Mood, THE Magazine, Southwest Contemporary, and more. Currently, she’s also currently working on a collection of magical realism folk tales based on New Mexico history. On any given evening, she can be found gazing at the sunset with pups Ham and Pea, and partner Joel, being grateful for the small moments that are the sweetest juice in this life. In 2024, she joined Mirror Bridge as the first lead co-creator.

CO-CREATOR

Khalil Ekulona is an award-winning host, journalist, and producer whose career spans public radio, television, and digital media. He has interviewed thousands of people on issues shaping our present, stories from our past, and visions for the future. In 1997 he moved to Los Angeles and became one of the founding members of the hip hop group, Fresh Air. Between 2001 and 2007 they released an EP and several singles. Khalil continues to produce and make hip hop music under the name Pope Yesyesyall. For over three years, Khalil hosted This Is Nashville, the daily live show on Nashville’s NPR affiliate WPLN. Previously, he created and hosted No More Normal for Albuquerque’s NPR affiliate KUNM, served as a correspondent for PBS affiliate KNME, and co-hosted Good Day New Mexico on NBC affiliate KOB4. Known for his authenticity, curiosity, and humor, Khalil brings compassion and candor to every conversation—turning interviews into memorable, meaningful experiences for both guests and audiences. In 2025, he joined Mirror Bridge as co-producer and -host of the forthcoming Mirror Bridge Radio Hour.