April Powers

April Powers has spent her professional career helping organizations manage differences through training, recruiting, and diversity & inclusion strategy.

The descendant of survivors of chattel slavery in the U.S. and Jews who fled state sponsored violence in eastern Europe, April has led Diversity, Equity & Inclusion efforts for some of the world’s largest companies. A bilingual native of Los Angeles who is sometimes perceived as invisibly Black and invisibly Jewish, April co-launched Jewbian Princess to increase belonging for all in Jewish communal spaces.

After experiencing extreme online antisemitism, April joined Project Shema to do her part to ensure that antisemitism education and Jewish identity are folded into robust DEI programs that focus on risk management and conflict mitigation. Her work is featured in The Forward, Jweekly, Moments Magazine, as well as various podcasts and Instagram Reels.

She is also the Managing Director of First Impression Rx, a full-service consulting firm that helps companies manage differences through training, cultural competence, and  inclusion strategy.

The inaugural Chief Equity & Inclusion Officer in the 50-year history of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), she is also a highly rated trainer for Fortune 500, government, and non-profit organizations. She consulted/trained at Amgen for many years, including project managing their cultural dexterity roll-out and delivering certified training in the areas of Generational Diversity, Communication, Emotional Intelligence, and Cultural Competence.

April received her bachelor’s degree in Spanish Language and Literature from the University of California, Berkeley, where she also had a focused area of study in African American Studies.

She began her executive search career with Ryan, Miller & Associates; launched Manifest Search; then became the Manager of Diversity and Recruiting for Nestlé USA. Having lived in the U.S., South America, and Europe, April brings a global perspective with local understanding to her clients' goals in the areas of cultural competence and belonging.