NAMI Delaware is pleased to announce the appointment of Marie Wenzel, MSW, LSW, as its new Chief Executive Officer. She assumed the role on October 1, 2024.
NAMI Delaware is one of 700 state organizations and affiliates that comprise the largest grassroots mental health service organization in the United States. With more than 40 years of service to Delawareans with mental illness and their families, NAMI Delaware provides peer support and peer education, training, advocacy, and affordable housing.
Ms. Wenzel’s passion, experience with and commitment to individuals living with mental illness and their families was evident throughout the recruitment process. “Marie’s energy and vision are contagious and the Board of Directors is excited about NAMI Delaware’s future under her leadership. Her experiences in providing mental health services, housing, and community engagement will be a significant asset as we seek to increase our services to and support of those living with mental illness throughout Delaware,” according to Aaron Mitchell, President of the Board of Directors.
A resident of Claymont, Marie is enthusiastic about joining NAMI Delaware after working in Philadelphia region for much of her career. “It is truly an honor to join NAMI Delaware as the new CEO. I am looking forward to connecting with a community that shares my passion for mental health awareness, support and advocacy. I know how effective NAMI programs can be from my own experience and have always held NAMI in the highest regard. Its programs and its commitment to being peer-led and peer-supported are critically important resources to people living with serious mental health challenges and their loved ones.”
Marie Wenzel is most recently the former Executive Director of Hand2Paw in Philadelphia, the only nonprofit organization in Philadelphia whose mission is to teach youth practical work skills in a trauma-informed animal welfare setting. Leading the organization’s impact, growth, and community outreach initiatives, she focused on equipping underrepresented young people with resources to thrive through socioemotional learning and career readiness, all centered around animal well-being and community connection.
Before joining Hand2Paw, Marie was the Director of the PEACE Program at Horizon House, where she implemented early psychosis services and managed a multidisciplinary team. Her experience also includes consulting on First Episode Psychosis programs and overseeing various health and housing initiatives, demonstrating her deep commitment to supporting vulnerable populations.
Marie holds a Master of Social Work from Temple University and is a licensed social worker in Pennsylvania. She has contributed to academic research on early intervention in psychiatry and has held leadership roles in community organizations, including serving on the Alumni Association Board for Temple University’s College of Public Health.