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About Us

The National Alliance on Mental Illness Hawaii

NAMI Hawaii is proud to offer programs of education and real-life recovery for families affected by mental illness and anyone interested in being better informed. We strive to raise public awareness about mental illness and better mental health. The more people who understand and know more about mental illness, the less likely prejudice and stigma will exist in our community. Our programs and support groups are prepared and delivered by people who know firsthand the struggles of having a loved one afflicted with a mental illness as well as those who live in recovery. These presenters are well trained and look forward to helping you better understand the circumstances you may find yourself in.

Mission Statement:
NAMI Hawaii is dedicated to improving the quality of life of individuals and families affected by mental illnesses, through support, education, advocacy, and awareness. We serve our community by empowering people to confront the profound injustices brought by serious mental illnesses. Through the strategic plan, we chart a course to meaningful systems change and the path to recovery.
NAMI Hawaii's History:
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Hawaii is a state organization of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). NAMI is the largest grassroots mental health organization in the nation and is a non-profit organization dedicated to the support, education, advocacy and awareness regarding mental illness for individuals, referred to as consumers or peers, families, providers and the community at large. NAMI Hawaii has the state organization office on Oahu and has four affiliates including NAMI Kauai, NAMI Oahu, NAMI Maui, and NAMI Big Island. Originally founded in 1980 Hawaii Families and Friends of Schizophrenics, a few families gathered together to share information and resources. In 1991 they became known as NAMI Hawaii and received a 501(c) 3 status in March of 1997. Also formerly known as NAMI Oahu and National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, NAMI Oahu and NAMI Hawaii merged in 2007 in response to larger changes at the NAMI national level designed to stabilize the organization at all levels to facilitate further growth and improve services.

Affiliate Leaders

Karin Medigovich

NAMI Kauai

Child care licensor for the state of Hawaii. Al anon member. NAMI Kauai Designated Affiliate Leader, Family Support Group facilitator and F2F teacher. Mental health first aide certified, CPI and assist certified. 4 years exp. as a Crisis Outreach Therapist. Mother of a fine artist who survives schizophrenia.

Dominique Mundt

NAMI Oahu

US Army combat veteran who has battled with borderline personality disorder and complex ptsd. She works as a certified peer support specialist and facilitates many of NAMI peer programs to show others there is hope for recovery and we are not alone.

Amber Drake

NAMI Maui

NAMI Maui Designate Affiliate Leader, NAMI Peer to Peer teacher, Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor, Youth Suicide and Bullying Prevention Instructor with Mental Health America Maui, UH Hilo Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate student. Living in recovery from mental health conditions and supports family members with mental health conditions.

Susan McGovern

NAMI Big Island

Former National Park Ranger. NAMI volunteer since 2019. Certified Family Support Group facilitator, teaches NAMI Family Programs, and manages NAMIWalks Big Island every October. Born and raised in Honolulu, but has lived in Volcano with her husband Rob since 1985.

STAFF

Kumi Macdonald

Executive Director

Former church ministry director and hotel manager, Connection Support Group Facilitator, successfully living in recovery from depression and has family members with mental illness.

Anisa Wiseman

Deputy Director

Former special education teacher, business owner, successfully living in recovery from PTSD and has family members with mental illness.

Ian M

Office / Program Manager

IT, videography, and customer service background, Living in recovery from depression.  

Lei Ohama Rol

Development Director

Former pastor of administration at C4 Church. Connection Recovery support group co-leader. Faithnet support group overseer. Living in recovery from generalized anxiety disorder. Has a family member with a mental illness.

Kelsey P

Walk Manager

Former teacher and administrative assistant, current homeschool mom, living in recovery from depression and has family members with mental illness. 
 

Tim Hansen

Advocacy Director

Devoted community builder and educator with over 35 years of experience working with diverse peoples. Most recently served as Executive Assistant to Hawai’i County Mayor Mitch Roth, overseeing mental health reform and overall community wellbeing efforts. Survivor and thriver of multi-generational unresolved trauma, embracing insights of growth and wisdom with each new day.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Sandi Burgon

Board of Director
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Accounting & Office Manager for Blue Water Shrimp International LLC; 30+ years experience in the accounting field and 20 years experience in sales & marketing. Son suffered from severe mental health disorders and took his life in June of this year.  Though it's painful, I want to honor his legacy by volunteering for an organization like NAMI to bring awareness and be a mental health advocate.

Michael Broderick

Board of Director
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Former Director of the State Court System, owner and mediator of Broderick Dispute Resolution, Retired Family Court Judge, Former CEO of YMCA Honolulu, serves on boards, commissions and councils, lives in recovery from depression, and supports family with mental health conditions.

Shuk Wai Chan

Vice President
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PharmD and licensed pharmacist manging NYU's Pharmacy Business & Analytics Department, former behavioral health program manager working with nurse, doctors and social workers for patients with serious mental illness and substance use disorder. An advocate to immigrant family on mental health.

Amber Drake

Board of Director
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NAMI Maui Designate Affiliate Leader, NAMI Peer to Peer teacher, Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor, Youth Suicide and Bullying Prevention Instructor with Mental Health America Maui, UH Hilo Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate student. Living in recovery from mental health conditions and supports family members with mental health conditions.

Mike Durant

Vice President
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Retired general manager of Jorgensen Steel Company in Honolulu, Team captain, along with his wife, Margie, for the Jay Walkers, the #1 fundraiser for NAMIWalks Hawaii, since 1999 in honor of their late son Jay Durant.

Kathy Hammes

President
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MSW, Retired social worker, NAMI Family to Family teacher and NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group Facilitator, lives in recovery from a mental health condition and supports family members with a variety of mental health conditions. Mental Health Advocate.

Kristi Kaʻapu

Board of Director
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Licensed clinical social worker and Program Manager/Researcher with Weaving Healthy Families at Tulane University. Certified in Mental Health first aid and supports those with mental health conditions.

Steven Katz

Board of Director
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Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, supports a family member with a mental health condition, NAMI Support Group facilitator, community speaker.

Bradley Kuo

Board of Director
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APRN; Hawaii State Center for Nursing APRN Policy and Practice Committee; board member of the Hawaii Association of Professional Nurses, Mental Health Kokua, and Hawaii Board of Nursing; received several awards for his work throughout the state; supports nurse leaders and nursing students.

Amy M

Secretary
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JD, MBA; Former Executive Director of a local nonprofit, former Operations Manager at Hawaii Department of Health, former corporate and healthcare attorney. Successfully living with mental health conditions and supports family members with mental health conditions. NAMI Hawaii peer leader.

Karin Medigovich

Board of Director
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Child care licensor for the state of Hawaii. Al anon member. NAMI Kauai Designated Affiliate Leader, Family Support Group facilitator and F2F teacher. Mental health first aide certified, CPI and assist certified. 4 years exp. as a Crisis Outreach Therapist. Mother of a fine artist who survives schizophrenia.

Denis Mee-Lee, MD

Board of Director
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MD, MS, DLFAPA, Co-Founder of NAMI Hawaii, past Chief, Hawaii Mental Health Division, Medical Director of Behavioral Health Services, Adventist Health Castle, President/Principal Investigator, Valden Medical (400 clinical research studies), Speaker for Pharma, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, University of Hawaii.

Laurie Okinaga

Board of Director
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Director of Operations at Central Pacific Bank, background in marketing, analytics, sales and technology. Mother of two and wife, supporter of those with mental health conditions.

Michael Williams

Treasurer
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UH Manoa – BA, Chaminade University – MBA – with emphasis in accounting, CPA & Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). Employed at CW Associates, CPAs (2013-2024) ending as an Audit Supervisor, Currently at N&K CPAs as of March 2024 as a Senior II.

Chelsea Wong

Board of Director
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Licensed Psychologist. Staff Psychologist at The Queen's Medical Center. Mental Health Emergency Worker for DOH. CIT trainer.

ADVISORS

Marjorie Au

Attorney, Former NAMI Hawaii President.

Randy Hack

Retired Consumer Advisor, Adult Mental Health Division, NAMI Hawaii Commendation, various other awards, #2 fundraiser, NAMI Hawaii Walk, State Delegate, NAMI National Peer Leadership Council. Peer in recovery from mental illness.

Anika Gearhart

PhD, Cognitive Psychology, UH Manoa, Instructor of psychology at Leeward Community College. Living successfully with an anxiety disorder and supporting family members with mental health conditions. Active volunteer with NAMI Hawaii and leads NAMI on Campus group at LCC.

Anson Rego

Attorney, dealing with mental illness of a family member, Family Support Group facilitator.

Debbie Zimmerman

President of New Millennium Meetings, Inc., consultant to the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, Wellness Partner with Amare Global, family member with mental health condition.

Kathleen Rhoads Merriam

A licensed social worker and a certified substance abuse counselor, has experience as someone living with a mental illness, as a family member, mental health provider and administrator, works for HI Adult Mental Health Division and is on the Statewide Suicide Prevention Task Force, board member of National Association of Social Workers.

Linda Taylor

Masters in Social Work, co-founder of The Institute For Family Enrichment.