NAMICon 2023 Event Honors Mental Health Leaders

Posted on June 23, 2023

Arlington, VA — The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has honored and presented awards for exemplary national, state and local leadership as part of “NAMICon 2023, Together for Mental Health,” one of the nation’s largest gatherings of leaders and advocates across the mental health community.

The combined efforts of the award recipients are a force for positive change to improve the lives for both people with mental illness and their families. This year’s award winners are:

The NAMI CEO and Board President Award: Honors an exemplary individual for their extraordinary and tireless work in advancing NAMI and its mission

• Shirley Holloway

The Lifetime Achievement Award: Honors an exemplary individual for a lifetime of significant contributions to NAMI and the mental health movement

• Adrienne Kennedy

Cross Cultural Innovation and Engagement Award: Honors effective efforts to ensure that diversity and inclusion are high priorities within NAMI.

• Babu Matthew, NAMI Colorado

Gloria Huntley Award: Recognizes exemplary advocacy work by an individual or organization at the national or local level, nominated by the Advocacy Committee of the NAMI Peer Leadership Council.

• Laura Kaponer, NAMI South Carolina

Joyce Burland Inspiration Award: Recognizes a NAMI staff member or volunteer who has demonstrated creativity, dedication and resourcefulness to offer or expand NAMI’s national education programs, and who has served as an inspiration to families, individuals with a mental health condition or the public through their work with NAMI programs.

• Mary Kay Battaglia, NAMI Wisconsin

Ken Steele Award: Recognizes outstanding contributions by an individual living with mental illness to improve the quality of life, increase empowerment, and promote integration and inclusion for their peers.

• Diane Banks, NAMI Texas

Lionel Aldridge Champions Award: Recognizes an individual with mental illness who demonstrates courage, leadership and service in their work to promote recovery and ensure that all people with mental illness live full lives in their communities.

• Wendy Bundy, NAMI Volunteer, CPRS

Outstanding NAMI Affiliate: Recognizes a NAMI Affiliate that demonstrates exceptional leadership, strong community presence, outreach to diverse communities and exemplary stewardship of the NAMI mission.

• NAMI Big Island

Outstanding NAMI State Organization: Recognizes the exemplary efforts of a NAMI State Organization to carry out the NAMI mission.

• NAMI Missouri

Sam Cochran Criminal Justice Award: Honors an exemplary individual whose work in the criminal justice system has improved the fair and humane treatment of people with mental illness. For 2022, we invited nominations for individuals who have substantially contributed to our strategic goal of “People Getting Diverted from Justice System Involvement.”

• Hannah Longley, NAMI Maine

Vicki Cottrell Award: This award recognizes the excellent work performed by a NAMI executive director, their longevity, and service to other NAMI executive directors.

• Brenda Scott, NAMI Mt San Jacinto

Young Leader Award: Honors a young adult (age 25 and under) who exemplifies exceptional leadership among their peers to foster a culture of recovery and resiliency that helps young people with mental illness live full lives in their communities.

• Jayvien Greene, NAMI North Carolina

Exemplary Psychiatrist Awards: Honors psychiatrists who have made exceptional contributions to improve the lives of people with mental health conditions.

• Jeffrey C. Fetter, M.D., Hanover, NH
• Quentin Gabor, M.D., Minneapolis, MN
• Chinmoy Gulrajani, M.D. D.F.A.P.A., Minneapolis, MN
• Tony Thrasher, D.O., M.B.A., C.P.E., D.F.A.P.A., Milwaukee, WI