Dedicated individuals with a passion for mental health.
Executive Offices
Center for Housing & Facilities Team
Steven C. Shute Center for Advocacy, Education & Support Team
Fellows
Samantha Epperson
University of Delaware Fellow
If you’re experiencing a crisis, text 741-741 or call 988. |
Samantha Epperson
University of Delaware Fellow
The internship program is under the leadership of Jenn Ford, Director of Programs at NAMI Delaware.
CEO/Executive Director
Marie Wenzel is a seasoned leader with a robust background in mental health and community services. As the Chief Executive Officer of NAMI Delaware, she brings extensive expertise in strategic planning, fundraising, program implementation, and evaluation to create impactful outcomes for the community she serves.
NAMI Delaware, part of the nation’s largest grassroots mental health service organization, has been dedicated to supporting Delawareans living with mental illness and their families for over 40 years. Under Marie’s leadership, the organization provides peer support, education, advocacy, and affordable housing, ensuring comprehensive care for those in need.
Marie holds a Master of Social Work from Temple University and is a licensed social worker. Her academic contributions include research on early intervention in psychiatry, and she has held significant leadership positions in various community organizations. Notably, she served on the Alumni Association Board for Temple University’s College of Public Health.
A passionate advocate for mental wellness, social justice, and equity in behavioral health, Marie leads NAMI Delaware with empathy, humility, and an unwavering commitment to community empowerment.
Senior Director of Housing & Facilities
Merton worked in multiple facets of the construction field prior to joining NAMI Delaware as a property manager. With a love for numbers and the opportunity to take on more responsibilities he moved into the role of Senior Director of Housing and Facilities. He currently oversees our housing portfolio of 76 properties and takes care of all the finances associated with the daily operations. On top of working directly with HUD, DSHA and the various municipalities statewide, he also is a staunch advocate with lived experience concerning mental health. His commitment to NAMI Delaware’s mission is steadfast along with his loyalty starting his career with NAMI Delaware in 2000.
Property Manager
Doug has worked for NAMI Delaware two different times, the first time being from 2009-2011 and he returned in 2018. The thing that motivates Doug the most is being proud of the homes we have to offer to our tenants or hearing the way tenants react when they are shown our homes for the first time. What Doug likes most about his role here is that he’s able to split his time between working in the office and being in the homes with the tenants so he can see the people that we’re affecting on a day to day basis and see people taking advantage of the situation that we’ve been able to offer them. It’s in those faces that Doug is able to see the amazing work NAMI Delaware is doing.
Property Manager
Neshon Love has joined NAMI Delaware as a Property Manager in the Housing Department in September 2024.
Director of Programs
Jenn Ford joined the NAMI Delaware team in September 2017. Jenn helps to coordinate support groups, NAMI signature education programs, volunteer recruitment, planning CIT and VRT, and HelpLine. Jenn finds her role to be very rewarding as she helps those who reach out to NAMI Delaware for support and get the support, resources for themselves and their loved ones. Jenn ends each interaction with encouragement that they aren’t alone because NAMI Delaware is here!
Director of Outreach and Community Engagement
Kay-Dean Hayden is NAMI Delaware’s new Director of Outreach and Community Engagement. She has joined the staff in September 2024.
Jennifer Graham has over 30 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, focusing on vulnerable populations and improving lives through services and education. She has worked in areas including Women’s Rights, LGBTQ+ advocacy, Civil Rights, International Aid, senior care, hospice, and homelessness. Currently, she serves as the Director of Development and Communications for NAMI Delaware and as the President of the Cecil County Board of Elections in Maryland.
Jennifer’s passion for service began at age 8 in her hometown of Philadelphia, where she first volunteered and learned about philanthropy. She remains committed to finding solutions for those in need.
Throughout her career, Jennifer has received numerous awards and founded several social activist groups. A passionate speaker and advocate, she is known for always speaking her truth: “Each person deserves to be seen as human, with empathy and compassion. No one should feel invisible.”
Jennifer earned her degree from the Philadelphia Restaurant School at Walnut Hill and is skilled in fundraising, event planning, communications, and nonprofit management. In her free time, she enjoys outdoor activities like SUPing, kayaking, camping, hiking, as well as dancing and painting.
Jacqueline has been serving the Sussex and Kent community since June of 2020 as NAMI’s Multicultural Engagement Coordinator. For over eight years she has been an advocate for Latinos in the community and relishes building relationships with the families she serves. Jacqueline mostly loves the opportunity to learn from the community while at the same time bringing light to the conversation of mental health. Jacqueline is fluent in English and Spanish and offers programs, outreach and training in both languages.
Jim has volunteered for NAMI organizations off and on for 13 years. His family has been involved for 20 years. As a volunteer, he has contributed in many areas, including NAMI In Our Own Voice, NAMI Peer to Peer and NAMI Connections support group leader. He has shared at police CIT training and was featured in a newspaper article. Jim finds this work very satisfying and thinks it helps people better understand mental health. In his spare time, he enjoys working for his father-in-law in the pest control industry, caring for his son, playing the trumpet and exercising. He enjoys meeting new people and is grateful for the opportunity to be part of the NAMI Delaware team.
My name is Talia Siegel, and I am an intern at NAMI Delaware. I am a senior at the University of Delaware, majoring in Health Behavior Science with a minor in Medical Social Services. Mental health and mental illnesses are part of who I am. I will do anything in my power to reduce the stigma and make a change. I want to help out in every way and make a difference in someone’s life.
