The Board of Directors of NAMI Minnesota is proud to announce the appointment of Marcus Schmit as its next Executive Director, effective October 27, 2025. Marcus succeeds Sue Abderholden, who has led the organization for more than 20 years and whose visionary advocacy elevated NAMI Minnesota into one of the state’s most trusted voices for mental health.
Marcus currently serves as Executive Director of Hearth Connection, a nonprofit focused on ending long-term homelessness through supportive housing and systems partnerships. With more than two decades of experience in nonprofit and public sector leadership, he brings a strong track record in public policy, systems change, and coalition-building. Marcus’ career includes serving as Assistant Commissioner at the Minnesota Department of Corrections, Director of Advocacy at Second Harvest Heartland, and senior roles with MNsure and in the Office of Congressman Tim Walz.
At Hearth Connection, Marcus expanded philanthropic revenue, strengthened the organization’s focus on legislative advocacy and systems change, and fostered partnerships across housing, health care, and human services—areas that closely intersect with mental illness. Throughout his career, Marcus has secured major public funding, led statewide advocacy campaigns, managed complex budgets, and guided organizations through periods of transformation. Colleagues point to his ability to bring people together across sectors, advance equity in tangible ways, and translate policy into meaningful community impact.
Marcus expressed his enthusiasm for the role, noting, “It is an incredible honor to follow Sue Abderholden and to help guide NAMI Minnesota at such a critical time. NAMI plays a unique and vital role in Minnesota—there is no substitute for its education, support, and advocacy for people living with mental illness and their loved ones. I am eager to listen, learn, and continue advancing this mission in partnership with our team, board of directors, members, and communities statewide.”
Community members will also have the chance to join NAMI Minnesota at its annual NAMIWalks Minnesota on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at Minnehaha Regional Park in Minneapolis. This year’s event, themed “Mental Health for All,” will feature a program at 12:30 p.m. followed by a 5K walk at 1:00 p.m., along with a resource fair, family-friendly activities, free parking and shuttle service, and no registration fee. Both Sue Abderholden and Marcus Schmit are expected to take part in the day’s celebration as NAMI Minnesota honors its past and looks to the future. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gzuxU-PV
This leadership transition follows a thoughtful and deliberate process led by the NAMI Minnesota Board of Directors’ Succession Committee and supported by Ballinger | Leafblad, Inc., an executive search firm dedicated to serving the civic sector and partnering with nonprofits and foundations to identify and recruit exceptional leaders.
