HelpNAMI-NYC Board of Directors Announces Matt Kudish Is Stepping Down
After seven years of transformative leadership, CEO Matt Kudish has decided to step down in April 2025. The Board of Directors of NAMI-NYC is leading a search for a new CEO to lead the next chapter of the organization.
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to be the CEO of NAMI-NYC during this incredibly pivotal time. In the face of the City’s mental health crisis, NAMI-NYC’s mission and work have never been more urgent,” said Matt Kudish. “I’ve thought deeply about what I want in the next phase of my life and career, and my decision to move internationally was not made lightly.”
Under Matt’s leadership, NAMI-NYC has achieved extraordinary growth, with a 200% budget increase from $1.5M to $5M, and staff growth from 12 to 32. Last year, NAMI-NYC touched the lives of more than 21,000 people with free programs and services. Matt also successfully led the organization through the pandemic, including a transition to virtual programs and later adopting a hybrid model in a new 13,000 square foot space. During his tenure, Matt also led the development of one-of-a-kind culturally responsive, inclusive mental health programs to reach underserved communities.
“We are so grateful for Matt’s leadership and his efforts to grow NAMI-NYC into the organization it is today,” shared Board Chair Stacy Helfstein, who has been part of NAMI-NYC since 2019. “I’m also confident we will appoint the right person to this critical role.”
“Over the past 16 years, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing NAMI-NYC’s incredible growth and I’m deeply proud of how far we’ve come,” said Board Chair Emeritus Nathan Romano. “This next chapter presents an opportunity to expand our reach and to address New York City’s urgent mental health crisis.”
The Board has engaged Harris Rand Lusk to oversee the CEO search, and Matt will remain available to support the organization during this transition. The Board is committed to finding a new leader who can continue to tackle New York City’s ongoing mental health crisis and support families and individuals affected by mental illness. NAMI-NYC’s new leader will address key areas, such as suicide prevention, youth mental health, and workplace mental health. NAMI-NYC also continues to advocate for systemic change, including affordable, comprehensive mental health care, peer-based crisis response, and mental health education in schools.
All NAMI-NYC programs will run as usual, and the Board will share more information about the new CEO as it becomes available.