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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dawn Brown | Director, CCIE | NAMI National |
| Alfiee Breland-Noble, Ph.D., MHSc. | Founder, The AAKOMA Project | (not set) |
| Amanda Bowling | Postdoctoral Fellow | Ballmer Institute for Children's Behavioral Health at the University of Oregon |
| James Bowers | Executive Director | NAMI Nebraska |
| Gwenda Booth | Board of Directors | NAMI-Gwinnett |
| Ashley Blum | Executive Director | NAMI Davidson Co. |
| David Binet | National Director, Governance & Accreditation | NAMI |
| Matthew Bernstein | Chief Medical Officer | Accord and Ellenhorn |
| Doug Beach | Executive Director | NAMI Greater San Antonio |
| Joshua Bassett | Emmy-winning Actor, Singe/Songwriter, and Author | (not set) |
| Paul Bashea Williams | CEO | Hearts In Mind Counseling |
| Margie Balfour | Executive Policy Advisor | Connections Health Solutions |
| Cathy Applefeld Olson | Founder | Hollywood & Mind |
| NAMI Scientific Advisory Council | (not set) | NAMI National |
| NAMI National NextGen Advisors | (not set) | NAMI National |
| Da'Vinchi | Actor, NAMI Ambassador | (not set) |
| Bridgespan | (not set) | (not set) |