Juanita Lee Cortazar, Peer Navigator on Influential Women

Influential Woman · Substance Use Mental Health Support Services

Juanita Lee Cortazar

Peer Navigator, Ampact/ RecoveryCorps

Portsmouth, VA

Her Story

About Juanita

As a Recovery Navigator with RecoveryCorps

My main focus is helping people navigate systems (treatment, legal, housing, medical, benefits).


My duties include but are not limited to the following:

-Guiding clients through service systems step by step.

-Advocating with providers, courts, probation, or housing.

-Supporting them both emotionally and practically (appointments, paperwork, referrals).

And lastly

-Empowering my clients to set and achieve personal recovery goals.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Juanita

01What do you attribute your success to?

I attribute my success to showing up consistently, even when I didn’t feel strong. I learned to accept help, stay accountable, and keep doing the next right thing. Over time, service to others became a stabilizing force in my own recovery, giving my life direction and purpose.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

The best career advice I ever received was to do the work in front of me well and stay grounded in integrity. That mindset has helped me focus on impact, maintain healthy boundaries, and build a career rooted in trust and service rather than titles.

Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.