#United States #mental health #Arlington #NAMI #Jeff Fladen

NAMI Elects New Leadership Team to Enhance Mental Health Advocacy

On June 20, 2025, The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), a prominent grassroots organization focused on mental health advocacy in the United States, declared the election of its new board members for the 2025-2026 term. This newly formed leadership team comprises individuals deeply rooted within their communities, equipped with personal experiences, and steadfast in their commitment to advancing mental health as a pressing national priority.

NAMI underscores the urgency of addressing the escalating mental health crisis confronting the nation, which is further emphasized by CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr.'s remarks: "NAMI's new board brings the vision, leadership, and lived experience needed to meet this moment. They epitomize a strong dedication to our mission and the communities we serve. We aim to build on the solid foundation laid by former President Cathryn Nacario and propel our strategic initiatives to ensure equitable access to care and support for everyone affected by mental health issues."

Leading the new board as President is Jeff Fladen, MSW, an experienced mental health advocate and former executive director of NAMI Tennessee. With his extensive background in clinical care, nonprofit leadership, and policy advocacy, Fladen is well-prepared to drive the new initiatives. He noted, "I am honored to serve as NAMI's board president. Having both personal and professional experiences in mental health, I fully grasp how essential our mission is for individuals, families, and communities. Consequently, I look forward to collaborating with our CEO Dan Gillison, the board, and grassroots partners to solidify a movement that provides help, hope, and equity for all affected by mental illness."

The election took place during NAMICon 2025, a virtual event that occurred from June 10-13, where the incoming board members were chosen. Each board member will serve a three-year term, with the possibility of extending their service for an additional two consecutive terms.

Gillison expressed excitement for the future while also expressing gratitude for the contributions of outgoing members, stating, "While I'm enthusiastic about the direction the new board is headed and look forward to working with our new President, Jeff Fladen, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the outstanding service and dedication of our outgoing members. We owe a significant debt of gratitude to Amy Brinkley, Dr. Sheldon Jacobs, Pooja Mehta, and Joe Gatto for their exceptional commitment, and an extra note of appreciation to Cathryn Nacario for her steady leadership during a time of significant growth for our organization."

2025–2026 NAMI Board of Directors

Executive Committee

• - President: Jeff Fladen, MSW (Tennessee)
• - 1st Vice President: Devika Bhushan, M.D. (California)
• - 2nd Vice President: Lakieshia Izzard, Ed.D., LPC, NCC, ACS, CSC (Georgia)
• - Treasurer: Barbara Ricci, BA, MPA (New York City)
• - Secretary: Mary Kay Battaglia (Wisconsin)
• - Immediate Past President: Cathryn Nacario, BSN-RN, PHN, MHA (California)
• - President Emerita: Shirley Holloway, Ph.D. (Alaska)

Newly Elected Board Members (Term ending 2028)

• - Rebecca Kiessling, CAE – NAMI Northern Virginia
• - Kerry Graves – NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore (MD)
• - Elise Banks-Lovely, M.S., LPC – NAMI Texas
• - Linh Preston, MA, MPA – NAMI Indiana
• - Benjamin McAfee – NAMI Hall County (GA)
• - Jeremiah Rainville, CCHW, CPRS, CCSP, CAMHFA – Peer Leadership Council Elected Director

Continuing Board Members (Term ending 2027)

• - Ray Lay, CHW/CRS (Indiana)
• - Glenda Wrenn Gordon, M.D., MSHP (Georgia)
• - Babu George Mathew (Colorado)
• - Barbara Ricci, BA, MPA (New York City)
• - Mary Kay Battaglia (Wisconsin)

Continuing Board Members (Term ending 2026)

• - Devika Bhushan, M.D. (California)
• - Victoria Harris, M.D., MPH (Washington)
• - Sukhi Sahni, MSJ (Virginia)
• - Dhanu Sannesy, BA (New York)
• - Lakieshia Izzard, Ed.D., LPC, NCC, ACS, CSC (Georgia)

Appointed Members

• - Ruth-Ann Huvane – At-Large (California)
• - Darien Wright, MBA, CPA – At-Large (Maryland)

Open Board Seats

• - Affiliate Presidents Council (APC) director – election forthcoming
• - Two NextGen directors – election forthcoming

The National Alliance on Mental Illness staunchly advocates for the improvement of the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness, making this new leadership particularly significant during this critical moment.