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NAMI Virginia Staff
Executive Director: Mira Signer
Mira joined NAMI Virginia as the Executive Director in July 2007. Along with legislative advocacy, program development, and nonprofit expertise, Mira brings her personal experiences, challenges, and lessons with a family member with mental illness, which is part of her motivation to improve the way Virginia responds to mental illness. Mira currently serves as Vice President of the Virginia Mental Health Planning Council and serves on multiple task forces and commissions, including the Mental Health/Substance Abuse Task Force of the Governor’s Commission on Prisoner and Juvenile Reentry Initiatives, the Richmond Community Criminal Justice Board, and the Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness Permanent Supportive Housing Advisory Workgroup. Ms. Signer has been a volunteer with HOME (Housing Opportunities Made Equal) in Richmond and serves on the Council of Advocates for Gateway Homes of Richmond. Ms. Signer received her Masters 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. At VCU Ms. Signer received the Elaine Rothenberg Scholarship and Phi Kappa Phi Scholarship, and was awarded the David N. Saunders Legislative Advocacy Award, the School of Social Work Social Justice Award, and was a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. Ms. Signer is a member of the 2010 Leadership Metro Richmond class. 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.
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 and J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College.
Director of Programs: Sarah Eisenman
Sarah Eisenman, 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: seisenman@namivirginia.org
Phone: (804) 285-8264 ext. 203
NAMIWalks Manager, Special Projects Coordinator: Farleigh Fitzgerald
Farleigh Fitzgerald started working for NAMI Virginia in 2008. She is responsible for managing and coordinating the annual NAMIWalk, production of quarterly newsletters, NAMI Virginia's E-Newsletters, organizing the annual convention, and other projects that arise throughout the year. 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 Coordinator: Stephany Melton
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 Coordinator. 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.
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.
Statewide Family Network Overview
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