WILLISTON, VT – The NAMI Vermont Board of Directors is pleased to share that Nick Martin will serve as the organization’s next Executive Director, beginning September 14, 2026. Nick succeeds Laurie Emerson, a staunch mental health advocate who, during her 12-year tenure as Executive Director, indisputably advanced NAMI Vermont’s mission to support, educate, and advocate so that individuals, families, and communities affected by mental health challenges can build better lives. Laurie’s successes in building connections with partner organizations, coupled with her years of expert advocacy at the State House, have helped countless Vermont families and individuals.
Nick Martin brings a wealth of experience to NAMI Vermont, having worked in both the public and private sectors and supported underserved communities throughout his career. As a Youth Case Manager at the Youth Advocate Program, he advocated for young individuals on probation and taught them essential life skills, civic duties, responsibilities, and good character. While working as a Behavioral Health Support Specialist with Optum Health, he provided support for individuals living with medical concerns, mental health challenges, and/or substance use issues. Later, Nick served as the Treatment Center Director of BayMark Health Services, where he worked with populations directly affected by substance misuse.
From 2016 to 2021, Nick worked as the Program Director at NAMI Vermont. In this role, he organized programs for family members, peers, and community members statewide, supervised and trained volunteers, and oversaw program activities to ensure quality. Nick states that his role as Program Director at NAMI Vermont “significantly shaped my professional growth and deepened my commitment to advancing mental health support and advocacy,” adding, “I have witnessed firsthand the profound impact that compassionate listening, encouragement, and advocacy can have on those navigating mental health challenges. Maintaining a positive, solutions-oriented perspective while advancing meaningful reform is central to my professional philosophy.” His passion for mental health advocacy, coupled with his familiarity with our organization’s processes, mission, and programs, will serve him well as NAMI Vermont’s Executive Director.
Nick Martin’s empathy for vulnerable populations and his professional experience make him the ideal person to lead NAMI Vermont and continue our advocacy work. The staff and Board at NAMI Vermont are thrilled to welcome Nick to the team as we move forward together to support Vermonters affected by mental health conditions. Learn more about NAMI Vermont’s programs, advocacy efforts, and free mental health resources at namivt.org.
About NAMI Vermont
NAMI Vermont is the independent Vermont chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
We are a statewide, non-profit, 501c3, grassroots, volunteer organization comprised of people
who live with a mental health condition, family members, and advocates. As our mission, NAMI
Vermont supports, educates, and advocates so that all communities, families, and individuals
affected by mental illness or mental health challenges can build better lives.
