Founded in 1977, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the largest non-profit grassroots mental health organization in the United States. NAMI-UW is one of a hundred NAMI on Campus Clubs dedicated to bringing the NAMI mission to colleges around the nation. We are an all volunteer student run organization consisting of about 50 members primarily serving the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
National Alliance on Mental Illness at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is a growing student organization comprised of student advocates, student consumers, and student supporters! We provide resources, education, support, and promote advocacy for all things mental health related on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus and in our community. Please explore our website for all things NAMI-UW!
National Alliance on Mental Illness at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is a growing student organization comprised of student advocates, student consumers, and student supporters! We provide resources, education, support, and promote advocacy for all things mental health related on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus and in our community. Please explore our website for all things NAMI-UW!
OUR 2021-2022 LEADERSHIP TEAM
SKYLAR BUTENHOFF: Co-President. Skylar is a first year nursing student. In her free time, Skylar enjoys watching Criminal Minds, and camping with her family and friends! Skylar joined NAMI with the hopes of educating students on campus in regards to mental illness. “Mental illness isn’t something to be ashamed of, in fact needs a great deal of attention in order to end the stigmas surrounding it!”
BRETT PONTELANDOLFO: Co-President. Brett is a Senior studying Biology with a certificate in Public Health and an aspiration to attend medical school after graduation. In his free time, he likes to listen to music, try new foods, and spend time with both friends and his yorkie. Brett got involved with NAMI to be an advocate for student mental health and to learn about and help promote the many resources UW offers. "I believe that many people try to deny mental illness rather than seek help. I want people to talk about mental health as any other issue a person may face."
ELLIE BRUESS: Vice President. Ellie is a senior majoring in Management and Human Resources and hopes to someday work in the luxury fashion industry. She enjoys shopping (even though she shouldn't), traveling, and spending time with her friends in her free time. Ellie joined NAMI in hopes of becoming an extra resource for others and educating as many people on mental illness as possible. "There just aren't enough people out there that are properly educated on mental illness in proportion to the number of individuals that are affected by mental illness. We need to learn how to be there for ourselves and our loved ones."
AMELIA DOW: Chief Communications Officer. Amelia is a senior majoring in Psychology & Political Science. She loves watching movies, listening to music and spending time outdoors. She hopes to study political psychology in graduate school. “I joined NAMI because mental health is a part of everyone’s life and I wanted to better support friends and family with their mental wellbeing.”
JULIANA BRANDT: Treasurer. Juliana is a senior double majoring in mathematics and statistics, with a certificate in data science. She's originally from Orange County, California, but loves the Madison seasons (especially fall). In her free time, she participates in many student orgs and hangs with friends. As an exec member in NAMI for her second year, Juliana can't wait to see how the club grows and helps new students find their community at UW.
ALEXA SKRAPITS: Marketing Director. Alexa is a sophomore majoring in biology on a pre-med track. She loves to spend time with friends, go to the beach, and spend time with her french bulldog puppy, Gus. This is Alexa's first year on the executive NAMI team, and she is excited to learn more about how to support others on their mental health journey!
MADYSON DEROUIN: Volunteer Coordinator. Madyson is a senior studying Biology with a certificate in Global Health. She aspires to go to medical school after a gap year. She enjoys working out, cooking/baking, and hanging out with friends in her free time. She joined NAMI to better support those with mental illness and to help end the stigma. "Mental illness can be so hard to talk about and to get help with. I hope to normalize talking about mental illness and to be a support system for those that need it."
SABINE LALIBERTE: Outreach Coordinator and Bandana Project Director. Sabine LaLiberte is a third year psychology major with a certificate in global health. After graduation, Sabine hopes to get a masters in mental health counseling and work within the public health field. She joined NAMI because of her passion for advocacy, supporting others through their own mental health journey, and reducing stigma. When not working with Badger Acts of Kindness, spending time with her loved ones, and cooking.
KATELYN ROKUS: Workshop Coordinator. Katelyn is a junior premed student studying Psychology and Biochemistry. She has been a member of NAMI for three years and enjoys bringing awareness to mental health on campus and providing resources for students in need of support. Outside of school, she likes watching movies, working out, and relaxing with her pets.
EMILY KNUTH: Fundraising Coordinator. Emily is a sophomore majoring in Biology on the pre-med track. In her free time she enjoys hanging out with friends, watching movies, going out to eat, and spending time outdoors. As a first-year executive team member, Emily is excited to learn more about mental health resources and help raise awareness on camps!
JULIA SZOSTAK: Events Coordinator. Julia is a freshman majoring in Management, International Business, and French. She has played the piano for 12 years and the cello for 10. She joined NAMI because she grew up watching close family members and friends struggle with mental health and has had many of her own battles.
"NAMI is an organization full of people who truly care about the well-being of others, whether friends or strangers. Being a part of this group makes me feel like I’m not alone with the things I’m going through, and I’m so grateful to be surrounded by such compassionate individuals. Just like people have helped me, I want to help others feel better and grow too."
"NAMI is an organization full of people who truly care about the well-being of others, whether friends or strangers. Being a part of this group makes me feel like I’m not alone with the things I’m going through, and I’m so grateful to be surrounded by such compassionate individuals. Just like people have helped me, I want to help others feel better and grow too."
KATHERINE ZIMMERMAN: Events Coordinator. Katherine is a sophomore majoring in Psychology and plans on getting her PhD in Clinical Psychology in the future. She enjoys meeting new people, listening to music, and writing for her blog Encourage Kindness. Katherine joined NAMI because of her immense passion to contribute to her community by advocating, supporting, and being a voice for those who struggle with mental health. “I want to inspire people to make a conscious decision to be that person in someone's day (or life) who makes them feel appreciated, important, loved, and cared for. Even a single smile or "hello" can make the biggest difference.”
NICOLE HADERLEIN: Outreach Ambassador. Nicole is a senior double majoring in Biochemistry and Statistics. After graduation, Nicole is going to get her Master of Public Health in Epidemiology. Her hobbies include cooking, baking, thrift shopping, and spending time with her cat. This is her second semester in NAMI, and she joined with the intention to reduce the stigma around mental health and to connect with other members who are passionate about NAMI's cause.
LAUREN ROSKOPF: Bandana Project Social Media Ambassador. Lauren is a sophomore majoring in Management Information Systems with a certificate in Computer Science. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with friends, reading, watching New Girl and working out. She joined NAMI to be a supporter of mental illness and to create more awareness and support around the topic.
NOELLE KOTRLY: Bandana Project Distribution Ambassador. Noelle is a sophomore majoring in Pre-nursing and hopes to become a pediatric nurse. Outside of class, she enjoys spending time with her friends, cooking, or going on walks with her sisters. She joined NAMI in hopes of increasing mental health awareness and resources for all students on campus.
SNEHA MAHESHWARI: Bandana Project Distribution Ambassador.
EMMA FRANKLIN: Workshop Ambassador. Emma is a freshman studying Neurobiology with a certificate in Criminal Justice. She hopes to attend medical school in the future. In her spare time, she likes ice skating, going downtown, and hanging out at local coffee shops. She joined NAMI hoping to improve her understanding of mental illness and be able to better support people in her life.
KELLY VAN: Workshop Ambassador. I am a Junior with a double major in Psychology and Communication Arts. I am passionate about supporting mental health. I plan to continue my education and eventually become a therapist. To me, serving on the NAMI executive tram means spreading awareness for mental health support across campus.
Contact Information
National Alliance on Mental Illness
at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
333 East Campus Mall Suite 3198
Madison, WI 53715
nami.wisco@gmail.com
at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
333 East Campus Mall Suite 3198
Madison, WI 53715
nami.wisco@gmail.com
