The Henderson Kentucky Chamber of Commerce is excited to welcome Dr. Wanda Figueroa Peralta and Austin Vowels to the Henderson Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
Dr. Wanda Figueroa Peralta is the Chief Executive Officer of RiverValley and Affiliates, a comprehensive, multi-state behavioral healthcare system employing more than 740 professionals across Kentucky, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Texas. She leads RiverValley Behavioral Health, Kentucky’s designated regional community mental health center for western Kentucky, as well as achildren’s behavioral health hospital affiliated with the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Center for Autism. Under her leadership, the organization delivers a broad continuum of inpatient, outpatient, residential, crisis, and community-based services that strengthen individuals, families, and the regional workforce.
A proven healthcare executive with a strong focus on economic development and workforce sustainability, Dr. Figueroa Peralta has guided significant organizational growth benefiting the communities RiverValley serves. Over the past two years, the organization has created more than 150 new jobs, reinforcing RiverValley Behavioral Health’s role as a major regional employer and economic driver. Her leadership emphasizes expanding access to integrated behavioral healthcare, building career pathways, investing in workforce training, and partnering with educational institutions to develop a skilled talent pipeline that supports long-term community growth.
Throughout her career, Dr. Figueroa Peralta has secured and stewarded more than $100 million in state and federal investments, supporting program expansion, job creation, and infrastructure development. These efforts include launching Kentucky’s first 24/7 mental health mobile crisis unit, expanding residential substance use treatment, opening a Regional Recovery Community Center, and developing specialized services for pregnant and parenting women and a high-acuity youth unit at Kentucky’s only stand-alone pediatric behavioral health hospital. In 2022, RiverValley opened The Port, a youth drop-in center in Henderson providing counseling, care management, career exploration, and connections to education and employment.
Dr. Figueroa Peralta serves on the American Hospital Association Policy Board, the Board of Trustees at Brescia University, the Owensboro Health Foundation, the Kentucky Association of Regional Programs (KARP), the National Advisory Committee of the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance, the Alliance for a Drug-Free Owensboro–Daviess County Steering Committee and Chamber of Commerce boards.
Dr. Figueroa Peralta holds several graduate degrees, including a Doctorate of Education in Leadership and Administration and an Educational Specialist Degree in Supervision and Administration from Northern Illinois University. She also earned a Master’s degree in School Guidance from Chicago State University and a Master of Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary. A Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), she is deeply committed to healthcare innovation, education, and community development.
Austin P. Vowels is an attorney in private practice. He founded, operates, and practices law through Vowels Law PLC, a law firm in his hometown of Henderson, Kentucky. Vowels also co-owns and co-founded the Henderson Brewing Company. He earned his Bachelors Degree from the University of Louisville and Law Degree from Saint Louis University. He is also a proud alumni of the Henderson Leadership Inititive and the New Leaders Council – Kentucky Chapter.
Vowels is also the Vice President of the Henderson Bar Association; a member of the Henderson Rotary Club, Networking Success Partners, and the Henderson Chamber’s Downtown Partnership Committee. He was elected to the Henderson City Commission and served from 2017 through 2024, acting as Mayor Pro Tem from 2022 through 2024. Vowels is married to Sarah Crick. The two have a son and daughter together and live downtown with their dogs, Louis and Charlie.