Women’s History Month Profile: Ivenny Lopez
Photo of Ivenny Lopez courtesy of Bert Lopez
EDITOR’S NOTE: During the month of March, Front Runner New Jersey.com will be posting profiles and stories on leading South Jersey women of color in recognition of Women’s History Month. This is part of that series.
AC JosepH Media
ATLANTIC CITY — Ivenny Lopez’s journey reflects the perseverance, commitment to education, and community-centered leadership celebrated during Women’s History Month.
After arriving to the United States at age 20 as a pageant contestant, Lopez has becoming prominent member of the South Jersey’s Latino community with her work at AtlantiCare and service with the Hispanic Association of Atlantic County and other groups.
Lopez, who has earned her master’s degree in social work, serves as a patient navigator in Pediatrics at AtlantiCare Health Services, where she supports families by addressing barriers such as language access, transportation, insurance, and social determinants of health.
She also actively participates in AtlantiCare’s Employee Resource Group, ALMA, focusing on outreach, advocacy, and culturally responsive health education for Hispanic communities. Lopez She also works as a family therapist with Aquamarine, providing therapeutic services to youth and families across the community.
Beyond her clinical and healthcare work, Lopez is deeply engaged in community leadership. She has worked alongside her husband, Bert Lopez, as a board member of the Hispanic Association of Atlantic County.
Her involvement includes leading the organization’s annual Three Kings Day celebration and supporting the Hispanic Youth Scholarship Program, helping empower the next generation of leaders.
Lopez’s compassion for her community comes from her lived experiences. An immigrant from the Dominican Republic, Lopez arrived in the United States at age 20 representing the Dominican Republic’s Miss Teenager program in which she had won the talent contest.
She arrived with high hopes and while faced with the challenges of limited English and few resources, she maintained a steadfast determination to build a better life through service and learning.
Raised in a rural farming community, Lopez learned resilience early when her family lost everything during a devastating hurricane. These formative experiences fostered a deep empathy for others and inspired her lifelong dedication to advocacy and support for underserved communities.
Upon immigrating to the United States, Lopez balanced multiple jobs while learning English, supporting family members, and pursuing her education. Her professional experiences in childcare, behavioral health, and healthcare settings deepened her passion for helping individuals and families navigate complex systems of care.
Despite significant personal and professional demands, Lopez remained committed to higher education. She earned an associate’s from Atlantic Cape Community College, followed by a bachelor’s in psychology from Stockton University.
In 2025, she achieved a major milestone by earning her master’s in social work from Rutgers University—an accomplishment that reflects years of perseverance, discipline, and purpose-driven ambition.
Ivenny Lopez’s story is one of resilience transformed into service. Through education, advocacy, and leadership, she exemplifies how commitment to learning and community can drive meaningful and lasting impact.
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