Macy Riopel joined DRNC in August 2024 as a macro social work intern. Her work primarily focuses on the education sector, with additional involvement in public policy, evaluation, and community outreach. Riopel holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in religious studies from Rhodes College. She is currently in her second year at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, pursuing a master’s in social work with a concentration in community, management, and policy practice.

Her previous experience includes working with autistic preschoolers in a classroom setting and contributing to a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting neurodivergent individuals. Riopel’s personal disability journey, particularly how it impacted her education, fuels her passion for this work. Experiencing stigma from a young age drives her to advocate for children facing similar challenges, with a keen interest in the intersection of child development and disability justice.

A Charlotte native, Riopel enjoys painting in her free time.