Voices Taking the Stage
Get to know your NAMICon 2026 speakers. Each one has lived it, studied it or fought for it. Together, they're bringing their most powerful stories, breakthroughs and hard-won wisdom to one place — for you.
Main Stage Keynotes
We Are Enough: Blake Mycoskie in Conversation with Dan Gillison
Thursday | 9 a.m. – 10:15 am
Blake Mycoskie
From Surviving to Thriving: Intentional Caring for Youth Mental Health
Thursday | 3:30 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Dr. Alfiee
Founder of The AAKOMA Project and lead of the MATTIE Fund
Conversations with Carnie: Mental Illness and Tardive Dyskinesia (TD)
Friday | 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Carnie Wilson
Grammy nominated singer songwriter, mental health advocate
Carnie is a paid spokesperson for Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. She does not have TD.
Fireside Chat with Joshua Bassett
Friday | 3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Joshua Bassett
American actor, singer-songwriter, and musician
William and Carol Carpenter Professor in Psychiatry in Mental Illness Research, University Of Maryland
Deanna L. Kelly, PharmD, BCPP, FAAPP
William and Carol Carpenter Professor in Psychiatry in Mental Illness Research, University Of Maryland
Impact Session Speakers
| Full Name | Job Title | Company |
|---|---|---|
| David Binet | National Director, Governance & Accreditation | NAMI |
| Alicia Snead | Youth & Young Adult Coordinator | NAMI Alabama |
| Ray Merenstein | Executive Director | NAMI Colorado |
| Ray Merenstein | Executive Director | NAMI Colorado |
| Athena Kabylafkas | Peer Program Director | NAMI Colorado |
| Ashley Blum | Executive Director | NAMI Davidson Co. |
| Isidro Torres | Executive Director | NAMI El Paso & NAMI Texas |
| Twanna House | Director of Programs | NAMI Emerald Coast |
| Doug Beach | Executive Director | NAMI Greater San Antonio |
| Gwenda Booth | Board of Directors | NAMI-Gwinnett |
| Jennifer L Thompson | Executive Director | NAMI Maine |
| Stephanie Slowly Little | Executive Director | NAMI Maryland |
| Zenethia Brown | Executive Director | NAMI Mid Carolina |
| Caitlyn Jennings | Board of Directors Member | NAMI Montgomery County Maryland |
| Hannah Wesolowski | Chief Advocacy Officer | NAMI National |
| Jennifer Snow | National Director of Government Relations & Policy | NAMI National |
| Stephanie Pasternak | Director, State Affairs | NAMI National |
| Jordan Miller | Manager, Youth & Young Adult Initiatives | NAMI National |
| Dennis Gabriels | Senior Manager, Field Governance & Quality Assurance | NAMI National |
| Chioma Obi | Senior Manager, Field Governance & Quality Assurance | NAMI National |