Ann Rider, M.S.W.

Ann Rider became a social worker and mediator while recovering from addiction and a psychiatric history. She worked at Arizona's Protection and Advocacy system before starting and operating a peer-run program (Recovery Empowerment Network) in Phoenix, Arizona for eight years. She is now the Executive Director of Capital Recovery Center in Washington state.

Ann is a long-time advocate and national leader, developing curriculum and hiring mental health consumers and psychiatric survivors to provide peer support. Ann earned an MSW from Arizona State University, where she has taught social work interns. She did undergraduate work in mediation and dialogue and continues to work in conflict resolution. She has served on the boards of the National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery and the National Association for Rights Protection and Advocacy (NARPA). She previously has worked for the Arizona Center for Disability Law, Arizona's Protection and Advocacy System, as the mental health advocate, and for Optum Health, in Tacoma, Washington.