Cherene Caraco is an internationally recognized peer and thought leader, consultant, and CEO with more than 30 years of experience with system transformation and organizational change. Inspired by her own experience as a psychiatric survivor, Cherene has made it her mission to examine effective services, practices, and systems and has spent the past 20 years designing alternatives to psychiatric hospitalization and other carceral settings. 

In 2005, Cherene founded the nationally recognized and award-winning peer-run organization, Promise Resource Network (PRN), operating low/no barrier programs spanning peer-respites, warmlines, Recovery Hubs and Cafes, employment, and jail and prison diversion. In 2021, Cherene was named as the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law’s Innovator of the Year for policy change rooted in non-carceral approaches and bridging gaps between evidence-based practices, practice-based evidence, policy, and funding.  

In 2019, Cherene started Peer Voice NC, a statewide movement of people directly impacted by mental health issues to organize and mobilize around legislative and practice change. Cherene is a Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS), Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP), and Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP). She received the 2021 Bazelon Center Recipient Innovator of the Year award.