Lauren Simonds

Lauren Simonds has a MSW in Organizational Development and Planned Social Change. She has worked as an Executive Director for over 20 years, ten of those with NAMI. Prior to NAMI WA, she was the ED of an HIV/AIDS Housing organization, NARAL Washington, and the National Council of Jewish Women. Her background includes community building, legislative advocacy, fund development, strategic communications, succession planning, and leadership development and training.

She was elected by the NAMI Executive Directors to be the first NAMI Board representative from the EDC and is the recipient of the 2024 Vicki Cottrell Leadership Award from her peers on the NAMI Executive Director’s Council which is the highest honor for a NAMI Executive Director at any level.