LEADERSHIP STAFF
Desiree came to NAMI York-Adams Counties PA in January 2020 overseeing all operations of the organization. Desiree has been working in non-profit since 2003 and brings with her over 20 years of experience in advancement, executive leadership, marketing, grant writing, and event planning. Prior to working in the non-profit sector, Desiree graduated from York County Vo-Tech with a drafting degree and went on to earn her engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering from Penn State.
Desiree’s personal experience with mental illness began after several life experiences in adulthood. “I didn’t recognize it as mental illness and struggled for several years before I was able to get the help I needed.” Desiree wants to share her experience and the programs and services of NAMI York Adams Counties PA so others don’t have to live in silence.
Jamie uses her passion and life experiences to lead our advocacy activities and initiatives. Each month Jamie participates in the NAMI Keystone Advocacy Roundtable. Through this group Jamie is able to share updates and help keep our organization informed. Additionally, Jamie is our office accountant and a trainer for NAMI Smarts for Advocacy. She enjoys helping people get answers to their questions. To reach Jamie with a question or concern email her at jamie.latshaw@namiyorkadams.org
Jazmin brings a wealth of nonprofit experience to NAMI York-Adams. At Carnegie Mellon University, she worked with vulnerable student populations to empower and advocate on their behalf. While working for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Jazmin managed a diverse array of grants and grantees, helping critical human services programs across the Commonwealth. Jazmin aims to eliminate the stigmas associated with mental illness and empower individuals and families who are suffering, showing them that a fulfilling life is not only possible but sustainable as well. To reach Jazmin with questions about our programs, email her at jazmin.cartwright@namiyorkadams.org.
PROGRAM COORDINATORS
Courtney comes with a background in education and will soon hold a master’s in business administration with a focus in nonprofit management. She spent several years in private education. She also has experience within the nonprofit sector serving in various roles in such organizations across York and Lancaster Counties.
She has seen firsthand the need for support for those with living with mental health conditions. She aims to help eliminate the stigma behind mental health in her community and wants those living with mental health conditions to know that they are not alone. She is passionate about connecting individuals in the community with the resources they may need to find hope and healing. She is excited to work alongside our PAUSE facilitators in the schools to help students become more aware of the resources NAMI can provide to them and their peers surrounding mental health.
For any PAUSE-related matters, you can reach Courtney at courtney.lecates@namiyorkadams.org.
Rachel comes to NAMI York Adams with a background in journalism and psychology from Penn State University, bringing her own life experiences as a peer living with mental health conditions into her work. Before beginning her career with NAMI, she could be found nose deep in cybersecurity news as a writer for a cybersecurity podcasting network, behind a newsdesk producing content for a local broadcaster, and with her fingers to the keyboard as a social media and communications intern for a startup in Dublin, Ireland.
She hopes to use her lived experience to aid in eliminating the stigmas surrounding mental illness and help facilitate environments for peers, family members, and loved ones to know that they are not alone and that recovery is possible and maintainable.
For any inquiries regarding NAMI Signature Programming or volunteering, you can reach Rachel at rachel.gelfand@namiyorkadams.org.