Beth Melcher
President and CEO
Recovery Innovations of North Carolina
I grew up in northern Ohio with my brothers and sister, children of teachers who placed a high value on learning and education. My childhood was in the 60’s, and by the time I was in high school I had developed what would become a lifelong passion for social justice issues. In college I was active in women’s rights causes and after graduation moved to Philadelphia to work for a women’s peace and social justice organization. The family values of learning and education led me to graduate school to earn a master’s degree in early childhood education with a desire to provide pre-school education. I worked in several pre-school settings before returning to graduate school to pursue a doctoral degree in counseling psychology.
My husband and I moved to North Carolina in 1986 and I began working within the public mental health system to support youth with multiple challenges. In 1994 I was named director of the state chapter of NAMI, blending my professional training with my passion for advocacy and social justice and with the personal experience of supporting members of my own family who have experienced mental health challenges. These were years of tremendous change and growth as states began to “reform” community systems, with the emergence of the “consumer movement” and the declaration by the President’s New Freedom commission that recovery from mental health challenges was not only possible but should be expected. After nearly ten years with NAMI I moved on to manage a federal SAMHSA grant for the state of North Carolina to plan for the implementation of evidence based practices. When that grant was completed I had the opportunity to serve as clinical director of a local mental health authority where we were able to implement multiple evidence based and peer support services.
In joining Recovery Innovations North Carolina in 2008 as President/CEO I realized a dream to demonstrate that peer and recovery services could not only be offered and be fiscally viable but also would result in better outcomes for our participants. I am proud to be part of a team that has made that dream a reality in North Carolina.
In my spare time I enjoy being with my husband and sons, spending time at the beach, and gardening. I also enjoy collecting pottery and given the chance will head to the nearest arts festival at a moment’s notice.