Susan Stearns is Executive Director of NAMI New Hampshire (National Alliance on Mental Illness). Prior to becoming Executive Director in January 2022, she served as the agency’s Deputy Director and has been employed by NAMI New Hampshire for more than a decade. Susan has worked in the non-profit sector in New Hampshire for over 30 years, advocating for families, children, and individuals with disabilities. Her personal experience advocating for loved ones in both the child and adult mental health systems drives her passion for transforming New Hampshire’s system of care in order to improve the lives of all Granite Staters affected by mental illness and suicide.
Susan does this work because no mother’s child should have to fear seeking help for a medical condition because of stigma and discrimination.
Throughout her career, Susan has been first and foremost an advocate, often testifying at New Hampshire legislative hearings and interfacing with policymakers. As Executive Director, she leads NAMI New Hampshire’s policy work, as well as represents the organization on a number of boards, committees, and commissions. Currently, she is a member of the Governor’s Commission on Disability, Governor’s Advisory Commission on Mental Illness and the Corrections System, the Oversight Commission on Children’s Services, the Advisory Board to the NH Judicial Branch Steering Committee on Diversity & Inclusion, the Commission to Study the Incidence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in First Responders, and the New Hampshire Children’s Health Foundation.