Home » About Us » Our Staff
NAMI Virginia Staff
Executive Director: Mira Signer
Mira joined NAMI Virginia as the Executive Director in July 2007. Along with public policy, grassroots advocacy, program development, and nonprofit expertise, Mira brings her personal experiences, challenges, and lessons learned of mental illness in her family, which is part of her motivation to improve the way Virginia responds to mental illness. Mira received her Masters in Social Work-Administration, Planning, and Policy Practice from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from VCU. In 2011 Ms. Signer was recognized as one of Style Weekly's Top 40 Under 40. She is originally from Arlington, Virginia and received her undergraduate degree from James Madison University where she was a varsity student-athlete and active in JMU’s Community Service-Learning program.
Email: msigner@namivirginia.org
Phone: (804) 285-8264 x 2000
Administrative Assistant: Danny Aldred
Danny Aldred has been the Administrative Assistant at NAMI Virginia since 1998. Danny serves as point of contact for general NAMI operations and is responsible for office administration, donor and member database and relations, as well as many other tasks necessary to maintain the flow of communication between the organization, affiliates, and community partners. Danny has received specialized training from Virginia Commonwealth University, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, and the Nonprofit Learning Point.
Danny is the point of contact for membership questions or updates, updates to affiliate leader contact information, questions about dues, and general NAMI Virginia questions.
Email: daldred@namivirginia.org
Phone: (804) 285-8264 x 201
Director of Programs: Sarah Steadman
Sarah Steadman, MSW joined NAMI Virginia in June of 2009 as the Program Coordinator. In this role she is responsible for promoting affiliate growth throughout the state, primarily through the implementation of NAMI signature programs. Before coming to NAMI, Sarah managed a Suicide and Crisis Hotline, worked as a phone case manager in the emergency services department of a Community Services Board, coordinated a visiting service for isolated seniors and worked as a community organize for a personal care association. Sarah received her Master’s in Social Work-Administration, Planning, and Policy Practice from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from VCU's L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs.
Email: ssteadman@namivirginia.org
Phone: (804) 285-8264 x 203
Programs Assistant: Mary Beth Walsh
Mary Beth recently joined NAMI Virginia as the Program Assistant. She is responsible for overseeing and managing course offerings throughout the state, as well as, assisting the Director of Programs. Mary Beth graduated from James Madison University with a B.A. in Theater. After graduation, she spent 4 years acting in educational shows for children across the country. Although she loves theater, her other passion lies in community outreach and education. She is excited to be able to incorporate those interests with an issue that is close to her heart. Mary Beth is thrilled to begin a new journey with NAMI Virginia!
Email: mwalsh@namivirginia.org
Phone: (804) 285-8264 ext. 204
Director of Events and Communications: Farleigh Fitzgerald
Farleigh Fitzgerald started working for NAMI Virginia in 2008. She is responsible for managing and coordinating the annual NAMIWalk; production of e-newsletters and the annual report; coordinating NAMI Virginia's HelpLine, organizing the annual state convention, and managing development-related projects. Farleigh graduated from the University of Colorado-Boulder with a bachelors in Psychology with an emphasis in neuroscience. After graduating, she worked for a non-profit residential treatment center for emotionally disturbed boys for 3 years before returning to Virginia.
Email: ffitzgerald@namivirginia.org
Phone: (804) 285-8264 ext. 202
Virginia Family Network Project Director: Stephany Melton Hardison
Stephany recently relocated to Norfolk from Boston, MA, where she had been working in mental health advocacy and support for many years. She began working with NAMI Virginia in February 2011 as a consultant for the NAMI Virginia/VA CIT Convention, and is excited to be officially joining the NAMI Virginia team as the Virginia Family Network Project Director. She is a longtime member of NAMI, beginning her career at NAMI Massachusetts. Most recently, Stephany was at the Parent/Professional Advocacy League (PAL), the Massachusetts state chapter of the National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health.
Stephany’s experience as a daughter of a mother with a mental illness has motivated her to dedicate her career to support families living with mental illness and advocate for an improved quality of life for all individuals affected by mental illness. At PAL Stephany managed the training, technical assistance, public education, and communication efforts, including developing numerous trainings. She also served as the project director for the Statewide Family Network grant in Massachusetts, providing monthly training and ongoing technical assistance and support to the family support specialists and family partners in the state.
Prior to PAL, Stephany worked for the Massachusetts State Affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) managing numerous projects including NAMI Walks and serving as the Director of Affiliate Development. Stephany holds a Master’s of Social Work degree with a concentration in Community Organizing, Policy, Planning, and Administration from Boston College.
Email: smelton@namivirginia.org
Phone: (804) 285-8264 ext. 206
Virginia Family Network Youth Coordinator: Amanda Long
Joining our team in February 2013, Amanda's passion for mental health has stemmed from both personal and community based experiences. She holds a Masters in Social Work Administration, Planning, and Policy Practice and a Bachelors of Social Work with a minor in Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University. Prior to joining the NAMI team, Amanda worked as a Special Events Assistant at United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg, and as a Classroom Behavioral Counselor at UMFS. She brings a wealth of knowledge in working with individuals who have both cognitive and physical disabilities, through her experience as a personal care attendant and volunteer at Max’s Positive Vibe Cafe. Over the past 4 years Amanda has also participated in outreach efforts for residents of low-income housing and remains a staunch advocate for this and other vulnerable populations throughout the region.
Email: along@namivirginia.org
Phone: (804) 285-8264 ext. 211
Virginia Family Network Program Assistant: Melissa Hammond
and NAMI Virginia HelpLine Coordinator
Possessing a deep passion for the advocacy of mental health awareness, Melissa is thrilled to be working for NAMI Virginia. She is responsible for managing the logistics and administrative tasks for the Virginia Family Network programs, including events and trainings. Most recently, Melissa worked as a Care Manager with adults and seniors with mental illness at an area non-profit organization. As a parent of a youth with mental health needs, mental illness has touched her life on many levels and in numerous ways, which allows her to truly empathize with families who are learning to live with the mental illness of a loved one. Melissa's desire is to not only advocate but also to help educate, so that the powerful stigma associated with mental illness will one day be erased. Melissa is currently studying at Mary Baldwin College to complete her BSW and plans to eventually obtain her MSW. Her combination of direct service and administrative experience make the position of VFN Program Assistant a great fit. Melissa has been a NAMI member for several years and is truly excited to begin her journey here at NAMI Virginia.
As the HelpLine Coordinator, Melissa is the point of contact for "information and resource" questions (locating resources, finding support groups and educational programs, requests for materials, etc.).
Email: mhammond@namivirginia.org
Phone: (804) 285-8264 ext. 209
Director of Finance: Deborah Michael
Deborah Michael has worked for NAMI Virginia as Director of Finance since 2006. In this capacity she is responsible for conducting invoice activities, paying vendors, assisting with budget preparations, managing payroll, and various related tasks related to the financial health of NAMI Virginia. Prior to that she served on the Board of NAMI Virginia as Treasurer. She has also held the offices of President and Treasurer of the affiliate, NAMI Central Virginia. Her volunteer work includes many years with the Historic Richmond Foundation, presidency of the William Byrd Community House Junior Board and tutoring at George Mason elementary school. Deborah received a B.A. in math from Sweet Briar College and a Certificate in Accounting from VCU.
Email: deborahmichael2@verizon.net
Employment Opportuntiies
We do not have any employment opportunities at this time.
Twitter