Meet the Team
The NAMI Navigator Charlotte program team is a talented group of professionals with mental health advocacy and education backgrounds. Our staff and volunteer Navigators are dedicated to providing empathic support to people seeking mental health and addiction resources and ensuring they get connected to the services they need. Our team is always leading the way to make a difference in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.
kate weaver
executive director
Kate Weaver was a professional photographer for 20 years with a specialty in helping clients see their own light. After watching her own family members struggle with mental health challenges, she made it her mission to help us change the landscape of the Charlotte community by reducing mental health stigma and creating many safe spaces for people to find help.
She brings a passion for mental health advocacy to NAMI Charlotte. She has served on the NAMI Charlotte Board of Directors as Vice President, managed the organization’s community programming, taught NAMI mental health classes and currently facilitates a NAMI Family Support Group. She has a deep understanding of mental health issues, making her the perfect candidate to lead the organization into a new era of impact and outreach.
Kate is honored and excited to join NAMI Charlotte as its first Executive Director and looks forward to working closely to amplify NAMI Charlotte's impact in the community.
To contact, kateweaver@namicharlotte.org
NAMI Navigator CLT Team
Andrea Towner
navigator program manager
Andrea Towner brings to NAMI more than 20 years of non-profit management experience with mental health treatment and advocacy organizations in Charlotte. She is passionate about ending stigma and normalizing conversations about mental health, as well as help-seeking when we need it. Andrea loves connecting individuals and families (as well as her own) with resources and support. She is excited to help launch the new NAMI Navigator Charlotte program. Andrea is a certified QPR (Question, Persuade & Refer) Suicide Prevention Instructor and registered 200-hour Yoga Teacher. She practices yoga and meditation to manage her own mental wellness and encourage others.
To contact, atowner@namicharlotte.org
lisa drew
navigator Trainer & Recruiter
Originally from New York, Lisa has provided health and wellness education to young people in NY, TN, FL and now North Carolina. She is passionate about mental health and helping others feel empowered on their wellness journey. Lisa has her master’s degree in Health and Wellness Education from Hofstra University in NY and a certification in Mental Health Sexology from the University of North Florida. She is an adjunct instructor at Central Piedmont Community College and has two young adult children. Lisa began volunteering for NAMI in 2024, presenting the Ending the Silence program in Charlotte and is excited about working with the volunteers and the new Navigator Program!
Kara lynch
navigator trainer and evaluator
Kara Lynch is a mental health advocate, author, and educator who brings lived experience, compassion, and insight to her role with NAMI Charlotte. In 2019, she had a personal blog post published by NAMI.org, sharing her story to help reduce stigma and inspire others on their mental health journeys. As the author of Girl, Surrender: A 4-Week Devotional Experience for Women With Mental Health Challenges, Kara is passionate about empowering individuals to embrace healing, faith, and self-advocacy. Her background includes a bachelor’s degree in English from NC State University, public speaking, and faith-based wellness, making her a trusted voice in the community.
danielle duchaine
outreach coordinator
Danielle is a dynamic operational leader with deep expertise in onboarding, training, and leadership development. Her earlier leadership roles in human resources cultivated her strengths in accountability-driven cultures and operational optimization.
Through her lived experience with mental illness, she hopes to make a difference in the Charlotte community through her roles as an Outreach Coordinator and Mental Health Navigator.
jalyn mills
technical administrative support
Jalyn Mills is a dynamic champion in public health and healthcare. She has worked with domestic and international nonprofits and governmental agencies to promote health and wellness. Her passion for mental health stems from caring for family members facing mental health challenges and her overall commitment to spreading mental health awareness. Jalyn leverages her knowledge and resources to develop impactful technology solutions for NAMI Charlotte as the Technical Administrative Support. She has experience leading data analytics, information technology, strategic operations, and community-based participatory research activities, primarily focusing on social determinants of health, health policy, and organizational strategic planning.
Meet the Board Leadership & Staff Team for NAMI Charlotte