Meet Victor McKenzie Jr

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Victor McKenzie Jr. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Victor below.

Victor, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?

Optimism, for me, is a survival skill. It was forged in the neighborhoods where I grew up, where challenges were plenty, but so was resilience. I think back to the Boys & Girls Club I used to walk into after school—a place that gave me my first taste of what it meant to have people in your corner. The club wasn’t just a safe space; it was where I saw what happened when someone believed in you. There was a mentor there—Mr. Davis—who would always say, “You don’t have to be the smartest in the room, just be the one willing to show up and do the work.” That stuck with me.

I carry that lesson with me in my work today. In addiction recovery and health policy, it’s easy to get lost in the weight of the statistics—how many lives we’ve lost, how many barriers still exist. But I don’t focus on the numbers alone. I focus on the moments. Like the time I saw a man who had been incarcerated for years finally get hired as a Peer Recovery Specialist after we fought to change outdated barrier crime laws. He walked out of his first day of work, turned to me, and said, “This is the first time in my life I feel like I belong somewhere.”

Optimism, for me, isn’t just about hoping for a better future—it’s about building one. I’ve seen what happens when communities come together, when policies shift, when second chances are granted. I’ve seen people transform their lives when given the right support. And if I’ve learned anything, it’s that hope isn’t passive. It’s a choice we make, every day, to show up, to fight for solutions, and to believe that change is always possible.

That’s where my optimism comes from—because I’ve seen it work.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

My journey into public service and health policy advocacy comes from a deep, personal commitment to making a difference in people’s lives. Growing up, I saw firsthand how addiction and mental health struggles can devastate families and communities, but I also saw the power of advocacy, policy change, and community-driven solutions in turning things around. That’s what set me on this path.
Today, I serve as the Executive Director of SAARA of Virginia, where I lead efforts to expand access to substance use treatment, Medicaid reform, and workforce development for individuals in recovery. My work sits at the intersection of healthcare, policy, and economic mobility—because we know that recovery isn’t just about getting treatment; it’s about having the resources to rebuild your life.
I’m passionate about breaking down barriers—whether that’s advocating for Medicaid reimbursement for peer recovery specialists, reforming outdated laws that prevent people in recovery from working, or securing funding for harm reduction programs.

What excites me most about this work is the real, tangible impact.
This isn’t just policy on paper—it’s the difference between someone having access to treatment or being turned away. It’s about turning personal recovery stories into powerful policy change. For example, one of my proudest achievements has been helping to establish Virginia’s first Recovery High School, a place where young people recovering from substance use disorder can continue their education in a supportive environment. Seeing that project come to life and knowing it will change the trajectory of so many young people’s lives is incredibly meaningful.

New initiatives or projects I’m currently working on?

Right now, I’m focused on several key initiatives that will have a long-lasting impact on Virginia’s behavioral health system:
Expanding Medicaid Coverage for Behavioral Health Services – I’m working with policymakers to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for peer recovery specialists and expand coverage for addiction treatment programs. We need sustainable funding to support the recovery workforce, and this policy change could be a game-changer.

Launching the Recovery-Friendly Workplace Initiative – This is an exciting project where we’re partnering with businesses to create more inclusive work environments for individuals in recovery. A job is one of the most critical factors in maintaining long-term recovery, so this initiative focuses on training employers, reducing stigma, and creating second-chance hiring pathways.

Advancing Criminal Justice Reform for People in Recovery – Many people in recovery face barriers to employment due to outdated criminal background restrictions. I’m actively advocating for legislative changes that would allow more individuals in long-term recovery to work as peer counselors—something that’s been proven to reduce relapse rates and strengthen the behavioral health workforce.

Beyond policy work, I’m also continuing to engage in public speaking and thought leadership—whether it’s testifying at legislative hearings, speaking at national recovery conferences, or sharing my insights in op-eds. I want to ensure that addiction recovery is at the forefront of the public health conversation.
What I hope to accomplish long-term, and what’s the big-picture vision for my career?

Long-term, I want to continue shaping policy and systems that make healthcare, economic opportunity, and civic engagement more accessible for everyone. My goal is to scale solutions that strengthen public health, workforce development, and democratic participation, ensuring that communities have the tools they need to prosper and engage fully in society.

I also see a critical opportunity to bridge the gap between the nonprofit sector, government, and private industry. Sustainable change happens when all sectors work together, leveraging their strengths to drive progress. I want to continue building coalitions that deliver real impact, whether it’s through health policy reforms, economic mobility initiatives, or efforts to increase civic participation.
Whether that means serving in public office one day, expanding my advocacy efforts, or growing initiatives that empower individuals and communities, my focus remains the same: creating pathways for people to heal, thrive, and lead change in their own lives and beyond.

How can our readers connect with you and support your work?

I’d love to connect with anyone passionate about health policy, recovery advocacy, and social impact. Folks can reach out via LinkedIn. Or social media Twitter/Instagram @vicmckenziejr
If you’re interested in supporting any of these initiatives, whether through funding, advocacy, or partnerships, let’s talk. This work is all about collaboration, and we need more voices at the table.
Also, if you’re in Virginia and care about behavioral health policy, I encourage you to contact your legislators and let them know that funding for addiction recovery programs needs to remain a top priority. Every conversation, every bit of advocacy helps move the needle.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, three qualities have been most impactful in my journey: strategic problem-solving, coalition-building, and resilience. Being able to see the bigger picture while tackling immediate challenges has been crucial, whether shaping healthcare policy, advocating for economic mobility, or strengthening civic engagement. Solutions require both vision and execution, and developing the ability to analyze problems from multiple angles has helped me anticipate long-term effects.

Coalition-building has been just as essential because real progress happens when people with different perspectives align around shared goals. I’ve found success by bringing together unlikely allies—from government leaders to nonprofit partners and private sector stakeholders—by focusing on relationships over transactions and finding common ground.

Lastly, resilience and adaptability have been key. The road to impact is never linear, and setbacks are inevitable, whether it’s a policy that didn’t pass or a project that stalled. Staying mission-driven, embracing challenges as learning experiences, and remaining flexible in my approach has helped sustain long-term change. For those early in their journey, I’d say: be curious, be bold, and build relationships. The impact you create will be shaped by how well you connect ideas, people, and opportunities to drive meaningful change.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

Two books that have played a significant role in my development are The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and Good to Great by Jim Collins. Each shaped my perspective in different ways—one in terms of personal growth and purpose, the other in leadership and systems change.

The Alchemist taught me about the power of vision, persistence, and trusting the journey. One of the most impactful lessons from the book is the idea that when you pursue your “Personal Legend”—your true calling—the universe conspires to help you achieve it. This resonated with me deeply, especially in my work advocating for policies that improve healthcare access and economic mobility. There were moments when pushing for change seemed impossible, but the book reminded me that obstacles are often signs of progress and that persistence leads to transformation. Another valuable lesson is that growth requires stepping outside of comfort zones—whether in leadership, advocacy, or personal development. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn and get closer to the impact you want to make.

Good to Great shaped how I think about organizational leadership and long-term impact. One of its core lessons is the “Hedgehog Concept”—the idea that great leaders and organizations find success by focusing on what they are deeply passionate about, what they can be the best at, and what drives their economic engine. This framework has helped me focus on scaling solutions that work rather than chasing short-term wins. Another key takeaway is the importance of “Level 5 Leadership”—leaders who combine humility with fierce determination. The best leaders don’t seek personal recognition but instead build organizations that thrive beyond their own leadership, something I always keep in mind as I work to create lasting change in policy and community initiatives.

Both books reinforce the idea that impact is a combination of personal purpose, resilience, and disciplined leadership. They remind me that success isn’t just about reaching a destination but about the journey, the people you bring along, and the systems you leave stronger than you found them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://victormckenzie.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/vicmckenziejr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victormckenziejr/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/vicmckenziejr
• Other: https://www.saara.org