MaryEllen brings an unusually broad perspective to Santa Fe real estate, combining deep local knowledge, decades of marketing and advertising expertise, and a genuine appreciation for the people, architecture, land, and lifestyle that make Northern New Mexico so distinctive.

Real estate was a natural evolution of MaryEllen’s 26-year career as the owner of Collins Forte Marketing & Advertising, a Santa Fe-based agency specializing in real estate, tourism, hospitality, residential development, builders, resorts, and hotels. Before moving to Santa Fe, she spent 15 years in Los Angeles working with major advertising agencies including Young & Rubicam, N.W. Ayer, and D’Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles, ultimately serving as Vice President of New Business Development. Her clients included Security Pacific Bark, Columbia Pictures, Ericsson Telecommunications, Hughes Corporation, and Princess Cruises.

That marketing background continues to be one of her greatest assets in real estate. MaryEllen understands how to position a property, identify its audience, tell its story, and create a marketing strategy designed to attract the right buyer. Just as importantly, she understands that successful real estate transactions are built on trust, clear communication, attention to detail, and knowing when to listen.

She joined Barker Realty in 2018 and has developed a particular expertise in Santa Fe residential real estate throughout Santa Fe County. MaryEllen brings an experienced, thoughtful approach to both buyers and sellers.

Her connection to Santa Fe began in 1992, when a vacation turned into something much more permanent. An evening walk along Canyon Road was enough to convince her that Santa Fe was where she belonged.

“Everything about Santa Fe drew me in: the history, culture, architecture, landscape, and the remarkable quality of life. More than 30 years later, I’m still discovering new reasons to love it.”

And there is another chapter to MaryEllen’s story. She grew up in the press box at Milwaukee’s County Stadium while her father announced games for the Milwaukee Braves and later the Brewers. Her lifelong love of baseball remains intact, as does her appreciation for a good brat and beer.

Community

MaryEllen believes that being part of Santa Fe means giving back to the community that has given her so much. She currently serves on the Board of Silver Bullet Productions, a Native American nonprofit dedicated to using filmmaking to support education and preserve Native American cultural history.

She is also a longtime supporter of animal welfare and equine organizations throughout Northern New Mexico, and has served on the boards of the Santa Fe Animal Shelter, Española Humane, and the New Mexico Wildlife Center. She is a current supporter of The Horse Shelter, a sanctuary for abandoned and neglected horses.

When she isn’t working, MaryEllen can be found outdoors, hiking the mountains of Northern New Mexico with her dog, Tux, or exploring the back roads and landscapes she loves. She travels to Italy each year and continues her lifelong curiosity about the world around her.