Email: claudia_at_preventioninstitute_dot_org

Claudia Sanchez-Lopez is an Associate Program Director at Prevention Institute where she leads cross-sector initiatives that advance mental health, community well-being, and sustainable prevention strategies in partnership with public agencies and community-based organizations. She currently serves as the project lead for the Young Minds Matter Conference and has led the past two conferences (2023, 2025) Young Minds Matter. A conference that focuses on advancing mental health and well-being through collaboration, community-driven strategies, uplifting youth voices and more. Claudia  has also worked on state and national projects such Methodist Healthcare Ministries, SYNC, and Opioid Settlement Funds. She has had the opportunity to present on Prevention Institute frameworks at the National League of Cities Conference (March 2026) and the National Association of Counties Conference (July 2026). As an associate program director, she also oversees project budgets, working in close partnership with finance to ensure accurate forecasting, budget alignment, compliance, and responsible stewardship.

From 2010 to 2020, Claudia held leadership roles with the YMCA of Greater Houston, including Community Executive Director and Executive Director of Outreach, where she built strategic partnerships and expanded youth and adult programming in various communities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she led the rapid implementation of over 20 citywide food distribution sites, serving more than 500,000 residents in three months. Then in 2021, she joined Avenue as Director of Community Initiatives, leading comprehensive community development, health equity, and resident-driven advocacy efforts in the Greater Northside while advancing place-based strategies to strengthen community health and wellbeing. Claudia has extensive experience in collective impact work, facilitating and leading coalitions and committees, including the Greater Northside Partners Coalition, Hispanic/Latino Leadership Network, and Communities y Salud Greater Northside Collaborative.

Claudia is known for her collaborative, data-informed approach and her ability to align community voice with identified priorities. She brings a practical, equity-centered leadership perspective grounded in partnership, accountability, and measurable outcomes, making her a trusted voice for communities she serves in.

Claudia has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management with a specialization in International Business from The University of Texas at San Antonio.