Liz T. Smith

Director, NAMI Center for Excellence

126 Hopmeadow Street, #2B
Weatogue, CT 06089

Ph: (703) 774-7215
Fax: (860) 651-7369
Email: lsmith@nami.org

Liz T. Smith oversees development and provision of technical assistance, resources, tools and education needed by NAMI State Organizations and Affiliates to build organizational capacity and achieve the goals of NAMI Standards of Excellence.

Liz Smith is the Director of the NAMI Center for Excellence and has been with NAMI since June of 2002. Prior to coming to NAMI, Liz was the executive director of NAMI Connecticut and served for 10 years as the executive director of an association for professionals in the fields of communication, public relations and visual arts.

She has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 25 years, and as the international affiliate coordinator and director of communications for a rare birth defect foundation, she helped build affiliates and cultivate membership in over 30 countries.

Liz has extensive experience in nonprofit organizational and leadership development, along with strategic planning, membership development and building strong boards of directors.

Liz received her bachelor's degree from the University of Connecticut, along with an advanced certificate in nonprofit management from the Institute of Public and Urban Affairs and Public Service.

Jinneh T. Dyson

Senior Manager, NAMI Center for Excellence

9404 West Road Apt. 719
Houston, TX 77064

Ph: (703) 407-7698
Email: jdyson@nami.org

Jinneh T. Dyson is currently the Senior Manager for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). She has worked in the capacities of child advocacy on both local and state levels, therapeutic foster care, child welfare, mental health, and public policy. Jinneh has served as an Executive Director for NAMI on both the local and state levels.

Jinneh received a B.S. degree in Human Development and Family Science from The University of Texas at Austin, a Masters in Human Services specializing in Mental Health Counseling from Capella University and is in the dissertation phase of her PhD in Management specializing in Non-profit Organizations. When she is not working or studying, she enjoys exercising, reading, mentoring youth and spending time with her favorite son, Josiah!