Tim Keller

About Tim Keller

Tim is the first Mayor to be elected to three consecutive terms since Albuquerque’s founding 1706. Born and raised in Albuquerque, his leadership is centered around the “One Albuquerque” unity vision, a clarion call honoring the city’s diverse heritage and championing residents from all walks of life. Tim’s zeal for public service comes from his willingness to challenge the status quo and his track record for having real impact. Since first being elected at the age 29 as State Senator, to State Auditor, to Mayor of Albuquerque, he has tackled some of the biggest issues facing Albuquerque and New Mexico. As Mayor, he has tackled hard, long-term challenges: rebuilding public safety, creating pathways out of homelessness, and investing in public spaces that bring the city together. His first-in the-nation 24/7 fully 911 integrated Community Safety Department (staffed with social workers and lived experience experts) to handle behavioral health calls—freeing up officers to focus on violent crime has been widely acclaimed as the future of public safety.In his personal time, Tim — a former quarterback in high school — still enjoys playing football and even suited up in Albuquerque’s professional Arena Football team’s 2018 home opening game. A heavy metal enthusiast, Keller was profiled as the “#MetalMayor” by the New York Times and has introduced a number of bands live on stage in Albuquerque. Tim is an advocate for Dyslexia awareness after being diagnosed and re-learning various reading skills as an adult. Prior to public service, Tim spent 15 years working with Tribal governments and large companies. He also resided in Cambodia for 2 years, where he ran the nation\'s first technology company focused on bringing living wage opportunities to landmine victims and survivors of trafficking. Tim is an Eagle Scout and Kellogg Foundation Race Equity Fellow. Following graduation from St. Pius X High School, he is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame where he studied Art History. He then went on to earn an MBA with honors from Harvard. His work during the pandemic was profiled in the book “City and Crossroads” and his early career was the focus of the Harvard case study “Tim Keller at Katzenbach partners.” The Albuquerque Community Safety Department he launched was the subject of the Harvard case “In That Crucible, You Find Innovation: Public Safety Transformation in Albuquerque”. Tim played ‘the Mayor’ in the 2025 tv series Pluribus.

Experience

1. Mayor

   City of Albuquerque

   Dec 2017 — Present · Albuquerque, NM, US

Education

• University of Notre Dame

  bba, Art History, Public Policy

  1996 — 2000

• Harvard Business School

  MBA

  2003 — 2005