About me
Sonya G. Bellafant, Esq., is a transformational Chief Executive Officer and attorney with more than 20 years of leadership experience advancing mission-driven organizations through strategic growth, financial stabilization, and operational excellence. She has led complex, multi-site nonprofit organizations with budgets of up to $13 million, delivering measurable impact while strengthening governance, compliance, and long-term sustainability.
Currently serving as Executive Director of New Mexico Legal Aid, Bellafant provides executive leadership to a nationally recognized, statewide civil legal aid organization with ten offices. In this role, she exercises full enterprise responsibility for strategy, finance, operations, workforce leadership, and external relations. Under her leadership, the organization achieved a significant post-pandemic financial turnaround, reducing a projected $1.8 million deficit to under $200,000 within a single fiscal year—and increased revenue by more than $1.4 million through diversified funding strategies.
Previously, Bellafant served as Executive Director of 603 Legal Aid in New Hampshire, where she led organizational strategy, strengthened board governance, ensured federal grant compliance, and generated about $500,000 in new revenue. Earlier in her career, she directed the Tennessee Senior Law Alliance, managing a $5.5 million statewide initiative that expanded legal services to more than 6,300 additional seniors and built over five hundred community partnerships.
Across roles, Bellafant is recognized for her ability to partner effectively with boards of directors, funders, policymakers, labor unions, and community stakeholders. Her leadership strengths include financial turnaround, strategic planning, labor relations and collective bargaining, regulatory compliance, and talent development. She is known for building high-performing teams, navigating organizational change, and aligning mission with sustainable business practices.
She holds a Juris Doctor from Michigan State University College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Oakland University. Bellafant is admitted to practice in multiple states and federal bars and serves on several nonprofit boards.
