The board of directors of NAMI Minnesota (the National Alliance on Mental Illness) has announced the appointment of Marcus Schmit as its next executive director, effective Oct. 27.
Schmit succeeds Sue Abderholden, who led the organization for more than 20 years. Abderholden announced her impending retirement earlier this year.
Marcus previously served as executive director of Hearth Connection, a nonprofit focused on ending long-term homelessness through supportive housing and systems partnerships. He has more than two decades of experience in nonprofit and public sector leadership. His career includes serving as assistant commissioner at the Minnesota Department of Corrections, director of advocacy at Second Harvest Heartland, and senior roles with MNsure and in the office of then-U.S. Rep. Tim Walz.
“Marcus brings deep policy expertise, proven nonprofit leadership, and a personal commitment to advancing Minnesota’s mental health system,” shared Jessica Gourneau, president of NAMI Minnesota’s board of directors. “We are excited for the vision, energy, and relationships he will bring to build on Sue’s extraordinary legacy and lead NAMI Minnesota into its next chapter.”
Schmit expressed his enthusiasm for the role, noting, “It is an incredible honor to follow Sue Abderholden and to help guide NAMI Minnesota at such a critical time. NAMI plays a unique and vital role in Minnesota — there is no substitute for its education, support, and advocacy for people living with mental illness and their loved ones. I am eager to listen, learn and continue advancing this mission in partnership with our team, board of directors, members, and communities statewide.”
Abderholden will be one of the speakers on the opening panel at NAMI Minnesota’s annual state conference, From Advocacy to Action: Mobilizing for Mental Health Equity, scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Saint Paul RiverCentre. Attendees — including community leaders, people living with mental illness, their families, providers, and advocates — will also have the opportunity to meet Schmit.
The full-day event is designed for learning, connection, and advocacy to help shape the future of mental health care and policy in the state. Topics for discussion include: red flag laws, artificial intelligence and mental health, legislative updates, and school absenteeism and refusal.
The conference will conclude with a keynote on federal advocacy presented by Hannah Wesolowski, chief advocacy officer at NAMI National, who is coming from Washington, D.C., to discuss the intersection of state and federal policies. Additional sessions will address critical topics such as mobile mental health crisis response, cannabis-induced psychosis, youth whose parents have a mental illness, and affirming LGBTQ+ care.
The conference will also include an awards luncheon recognizing outstanding community leaders, as well as sessions covering clozapine access challenges, suicide risk assessment and postvention, art therapy, mental health in rural communities, and the mental health needs of East African communities in Minnesota.
Registration costs $85 for general admission, which includes lunch. Attendees may also earn 4.5 CEUs for social workers, LADCs, LPCs/LPCCs, and LMFTs for an additional $40. Seats are limited, and registration at namimn.org is encouraged in advance.
Johnson/Janssen Pharma and Bristol-Myers Squibb are sponsors of the NAMI Minnesota state conference.
