CEO
Recovery Empowerment Network
Phoenix, Arizona
April M. Lopez is the Chief Executive Officer of the Recovery Empowerment Network (REN), a peer-led nonprofit dedicated to advancing recovery, wellness, and community connection for individuals navigating mental health and substance use challenges. April began her career with REN in May 2014 and has grown alongside the organization, serving in multiple leadership and operational roles before assuming the CEO position. Her journey through finance, human resources, and executive leadership provides her with a unique, systems-level perspective on behavioral health services and nonprofit sustainability.
April’s academic background reflects a strong interdisciplinary foundation. She holds a Master of Science in Psychology from Grand Canyon University, a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, and an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice from Del Mar College. This combination equips her to navigate the clinical, social, and justice-involved intersections common within behavioral health systems.
Committed to lifelong learning and workforce development, April has earned multiple professional certifications, including Certified Nonprofit Accounting Professional (CNAP) and Certified Behavioral Health Technician (CBHT). She further expanded her leadership expertise through The Sanford Fundraising Academy and advanced studies in Social Impact Measurement at the ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation.
With more than 25 years of nonprofit volunteer experience, April’s passion for behavioral health advocacy is deeply personal, shaped by lived experiences with family and friends impacted by mental health and substance use challenges. As a speaker, she brings an authentic, mission-driven voice focused on peer support, nonprofit leadership, systems change, and the power of recovery-oriented communities.
C15 - Lights, Camera, Recovery: Nontraditional Approaches to Mental Health
Monday, April 27, 2026
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM MDT