About NAMI Wisconsin

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI National) was founded in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1980. NAMI National is now an organization serving more than 200,000 people affected by mental illness. NAMI Wisconsin has 34 affiliates serving 40 counties throughout the state, with a membership of nearly 5,000 people.

Mental illness knows no gender, racial, ethnic, age, or economic boundaries, affecting one out of every five Wisconsin families. NAMI provides crucial information to persons affected by mental illness and their families and serves as their advocate on a state and national level.

Mission statement

The mission of NAMI Wisconsin is to improve the quality of life of people affected by mental illnesses and to promote recovery.

NAMI of Wisconsin will accomplish its mission through the following:

• Establishing local Affiliates in keeping with NAMI National’s principles and guidelines.
• Supporting Affiliates by providing follow-up advice and counsel; educational and training programs and materials; access to financial resources as appropriate; and by offering conferences, seminars, and presentations.
• Advocating at all levels of government and throughout the public sector.
• Promoting public education and understanding of mental illnesses.

Learn more about the
NAMI Wisconsin Consumer Council.

Contact us

Send us e-mail or contact us at our main office:

NAMI Wisconsin
4233 West Beltline Highway
Madison, WI 53711
(608) 268-6000
(800) 236-2988

NAMI Wisconsin staff

New NAMI Executive Director Cheryl Porior-Mayhew joins NAMI with more than 20 years of experience in marketing and communications, including six years as vice president of the Wisconsin Alumni Association.

Most recently, Cheryl was a principal in Sandhill Group, which specializes in consulting for nonprofit organizations. Some of Cheryl's clients have included The Nature Conservancy, the Wisconsin Center for Academically Talented Youth, and the Wisconsin Rural Leadership program.  Cheryl holds a Bachelors Degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin and an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University. Prior to working at Sandhill Group, Cheryl was a vice president at Ovation Marketing, a national advertising and marketing agency.

Cheryl Porior-Mayhew, Executive Director
Jennifer Lowenberg, Advocacy and Training Specialist
Vaunceil Kruse, Program Assistant
Melissa Marsh, Administrative Assistant
Kurt Monson, Office Assistant
Dennis Wilder, Office Assistant
Bob Fox, Volunteer

NAMI Wisconsin Board of Directors