Vanessa Williams is a Certified Peer Support Specialist and Certified Diversity Professional. Currently, she is the CEO and founder of Elevate Recovery. Elevate Recovery is a consulting company that assists organizations in leveraging diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in their workplace for increased productivity, engaged work culture, and employee retention. Elevate Recovery also provides professional development, training, and self-care workshops. Vanessa also serves as board secretary for the National Association of Peer Supporters. 

The Phoenix Business Journal recognized Ms. Williams as a finalist for Health Care Heroes in 2016 and 2017 for her involvement in Health Care Education. Ms. Williams has presented at several behavioral health agencies and conferences on the importance of employment opportunities for behavioral health peer support specialists. Ms. Williams is also the Board Vice President for the National Association of Peer Supporters and is a member of the Arizona Housing Coalition’s DEI Committee. She has presented at Doors To Wellbeing’s monthly series on “How DEI Initiatives Can Be Leveraged to Advance Peer Support Work.” She also served as a keynote speaker for the Peer Pathways conference in Seattle, Washington in 2023.