NAMI New Jersey Names New Executive Director

National Alliance on Mental Illness of New Jersey Names New Executive Director

The National Alliance on Mental Illness of New Jersey, (NAMI NJ), a leading voice on mental illness, announced this week that it has selected Meredith Masin Blount as the organization’s new Executive Director. Ms. Blount is assuming the Executive Director role following the retirement of founding Executive Director Sylvia Axelrod in December 2017. “The Board of Directors is extremely pleased that their most highly rated candidate has accepted the position. She has many skills and brings a genuine enthusiasm and dedication needed for success,” said Dr. Mark Perrin, President of the NAMI NJ Board of Directors.

Most recently, Ms. Blount was the Senior Director of Youth Services for New Brunswick Tomorrow. Through this role, Ms. Blount managed the state’s largest School Based Youth Services Program – providing mental health counseling and youth development services to students in New Brunswick Schools. The program has steadily grown over the past seven years and currently includes seven schools, serving more than 1,000 New Brunswick students yearly.

Prior to joining New Brunswick Tomorrow, Ms. Blount worked at the New Brunswick Housing Authority on the HOPE 6 Revitalization Grant; creating the Social Services Department within the agency. She also was an AmeriCorps*VISTA Volunteer with the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance in Boston. Meredith has a B.A. in Sociology and a B.A. in Journalism from The College of New Jersey.

Ms. Blount is assuming the role upon the retirement of Sylvia Axelrod, the founding Executive Director of NAMI NJ, in December 2017. “It is impossible to put into words what Sylvia has done for NAMI NJ. From its inception, Sylvia has been the guiding light that has created the success it is today,” Ms. Blount said. “I am grateful for all she has done, and for the support she continues to provide the organization.”

“Meredith brings experience and skills that will help NAMI NJ further develop program capacity and breadth of services for children and families,” Ms. Axelrod said.

“NAMI NJ has more than three decades of proven advocacy, education and support for those affected by mental illness in New Jersey,” Ms. Blount said. “I am humbled to join this historic legacy, and I look forward to building on the foundation and many successes NAMI NJ has built over the past 30+ years.”

 

Press Release