Neighbor News
NAMI Sarasota County Welcomes Executive Director
Newly hired Executive Director for NAMI Sarasota will help the affiliate grow.
NAMI Sarasota County (National Alliance on Mental Illness), the nation’s largest organization for individuals and families affected by mental illness, has hired Colleen Thayer as their first Executive Director. As Executive Director, Ms. Thayer will provide leadership for NAMI Sarasota County’s mission and for the management of all programs and activities of the organization.
Ms. Thayer brings more than twenty years of management and advocacy to the position, including extensive experience in legislative and governmental affairs as well as communications and management work in nonprofit behavioral health.
“I am fortunate to have called Sarasota home nearly all of my life, and to be raising my children here,” said Ms. Thayer. “Reducing misperceptions and stigma surrounding mental illness and working to ensure access for our youth who have mental health issues is just one of the many reasons I was excited about this opportunity. NAMI offers individuals and families support, education, and a voice.”
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“We are delighted that Colleen Thayer will be joining NAMI Sarasota County as our Executive Director,” stated Pat Mahoney, President of the Board of Directors for NAMI Sarasota County. “She comes with broad experience and knowledge of our community, and we are confident that she will work to grow our affiliate to provide more support, education and advocacy for people living with mental illness and their families.”
Ms. Thayer has a Masters in Management and Leadership and holds her Accreditation in Public Relations and is a Certified Public Relations Counselor. She is currently a board member for Centerstone Florida and The Circus Arts Conservatory.
Find out what's happening in Sarasotafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
NAMI Sarasota County is a local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. With twenty-seven affiliates in communities across Florida, NAMI provides education, support groups and advocacy for people with mental illnesses and their loved ones. NAMI Florida works with local, state and federal agencies and elected officials to promote recovery and improved treatment for individuals who have a mental illness and their families. To learn more about NAMI Sarasota County, visit www.namisarasotacounty.org or call 941-376-9361.
