NAMI MN Sue Abderholden to retire as executive director after 24 years

Yahoo

02-05-2025

After 24 years in her role, National Alliance on Mental Illness Minnesota's executive director Sue Abderholden is retiring.
Abderholden will remain in her role until Oct. 15, according to a release from the organization. The NAMI Minnesota of Directors will begin a leadership transition process in the next several months. It has formed a succession committee and retained the executive search firm Ballinger Leafblad, Inc.
When Abderholden began with the organization in 2001, it had two and half staff members and a $160,000 budget. Since that time, it has grown to 37 staffers and is a $3 million organization.
'Sue Abderholden's leadership has been nothing short of transformational,' said Jessica Gourneau, president of the NAMI Minnesota Board of Directors, in a statement. 'She has led NAMI Minnesota with vision, heart, and an unwavering commitment to those living with mental illnesses and their families. Because of Sue, our organization has grown in reach, reputation, and impact. Her fierce advocacy at the legislature, her strategic partnerships across sectors, and her tireless work to create culturally responsive, person-centered care have set the gold standard for mental health advocacy.'
Abderholden's advocacy has helped pass more than two dozen laws affecting education, healthcare, housing and criminal justice for people with mental illnesses, according to the organization. This has included advocating for laws requiring mental health training for teachers, getting mental health screenings for those entering jails, reforming the state's commitment laws to promote voluntary engagement in treatment, expanding crisis and early interventions services, the diversity of the workforce and strengthening mental health parity protections. She also worked to restrict the use of solitary confinement in prisons for people with mental illness.
Abderholden's work has been recognized with multiple awards, including the Minneapolis Health Department's Health Equity Award, Macalester College's Distinguished Citizen Award, the National NAMI Rona and Ken Purdy Award to End Discrimination, and multiple recognitions as one of Minnesota Physicians' '100 Most Influential Health Care Leaders.'
In addition to her work with NAMI Minnesota, Abderholden also has taught about health and mental health policy at the University of Minnesota's School of Social Work and served on several state advisory committees and task forces, according to the University.
'It has been the honor of a lifetime to be part of this movement,' Abderholden said in a statement. 'The people who courageously shared their stories, the families who organized for change, and the advocates who never gave up — they are the reason for our success. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside so many incredible individuals to help build a better, more compassionate mental health system for Minnesota.'
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