March 28, 2023—NAMI Miami-Dade has named Susan O’Mahoney Holtzman as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the leading mental health advocacy, education and support organization in Miami-Dade County and the Florida Keys, announced Susan Racher, Board Chair. As a seasoned healthcare advocate and medical business professional, Holtzman most recently was the lead on mental health, disabilities and older adults in the Office of Equity and Engagement, Office of the Mayor, Miami-Dade County.
“Susan brings to NAMI Miami an amazing and multifaceted history of business startup, and growth; leadership; management; community engagement; fundraising; mental health care delivery, policy development, and strategic vision,” Racher said.
“She is the perfect leader for NAMI Miami-Dade, the County’s premier advocacy organization of families, friends and individuals whose lives have been affected by mental illness,” she said.
As the President and CEO, Holtzman will lead NAMI Miami to the next level in terms of expansion in services, outreach, peer and family support, and mental health education, at a time when so many people in the community are struggling with mental health challenges.
In addition to her role with Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s office, she previously served as the Director of Health Systems for the Alzheimer’s Association where she led the effort to increase awareness and early diagnosis among health care providers throughout South Florida, the Treasure Coast and Jacksonville. Before that, Holtzman was the founder and CEO of a large national medical education
management company which she successfully grew and sold and was President of a business consulting group that focused on revenue generation, marketing and strategic planning. Holtzman has served as Board Secretary and Chair of the Outreach Committee of NAMI Miami for two years and is a member of the Miami Older Adult Advocacy Task Force.
She received her bachelor’s degree from Frostburg State University in Maryland and her Master of Science degree from the University of Massachusetts, Boston, McCormack Graduate School of Public Policy and Global Studies with a degree in Gerontology and Aging Services.
Holtzman has a proven track record of success in senior leadership roles and she is strongly tied to the South Florida community.
Kathryn Coppola, Esq., who has served as the founding Executive Director, will step up to lead the organization’s launch of its first capital campaign as the Chief Development Officer. This is part of the Board’s plan to ensure the long-term growth of this vital organization.
“Kathy is an integral part of the revenue and funding generating strategy that is designed to secure the future of NAMI Miami that she so lovingly built and on which she has had such a lasting impact,” Racher said.
About NAMI Miami-Dade County
NAMI Miami-Dade County is an affiliate of the nation’s largest peer-led mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of individuals affected by a mental health condition and their families. NAMI Miami- Dade offers free, safe, and confidential mental health support, education, and advocacy for individuals and their families and friends in both English and Spanish. For more information, call 305-665-2540, email Help@NAMIMiami.org or visit NAMIMiami.org and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram.
