Board Overview
NAMI Butler Board of Directors
Joyce Saunders
Joyce Saunders is a retired Human Resources Manager with a degree in psychology from Oakland University, Rochester MI. After retirement, Joyce became the Board of Directors Secretary/Treasurer of a family-owned business, providing human resources, financial and payroll services. She continues in her role as Secretary/Treasurer and HR Consultant. Since 2006, she has served on several advisory boards in the mental health field, including Board Secretary of the Mental Health Association, Board Secretary of a community mental health center, member of the former NAMI Pennsylvania board, former Vice President and currently serving as President of NAMI Butler PA. Joyce is certified as a NAMI Family to Family Leader, NAMI Homefront Teacher, and NAMI Family Support Group Facilitator.
Linda Schmitmeyer
Linda Schmitmeyer first joined the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in the mid-1990s, when her husband, Steve, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She became a member of NAMI Butler County’s Board of Directors in 2018 and now serves as the Board secretary. Linda is a certified instructor for NAMI’s Family-to-Family, a free, 8-session educational program for family, significant others, and friends of people with mental health conditions. A retired teacher and public relations professional, Linda is the author of “Rambler: A Family Pushes Through the Fog of Mental Illness,” an intimate, hopeful story about her family’s struggle with Steve’s mental illness. Steve and Linda have shared their experience with various audiences, including university students, library patrons, book clubs, and senior living communities. Linda and Steve live in Middlesex Township and have three adult children. Learn more at www.lindaschmitmeyer.com.
Jim Clendaniel
Jim Clendaniel is a retired children’s hospital manager who just returned to Western PA from over 20 years working in Jacksonville, FL. He is an X-ray Technologist and also a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, with a degree in Biology.
Jim has been involved with NAMI for over 10 years. Since his retirement in the summer of 2023, following a 51-year healthcare career, he contacted NAMI Butler County and asked to join their support programs. Jim’s passion is to pay forward the support and guidance he received from NAMI’s programs since he first joined in 2015. This was right after his son’s mental health diagnosis.
Jim was appointed to the Board of Directors of NAMI Butler on April 16, 2024. Jim has been an active member, serving as Secretary, Chair of the Outreach Committee, and is the current Vice President. He also serves as a leader of the Family-to-Family classes and a facilitator of Family Support Groups.
Mary Lindsay
I am a retired elementary school teacher with twenty-one years of service. My husband, Jim, and I have four adult children and seven grandchildren. In 2004, I joined Butler Nami seeking help and support for my ill family member. For the next six years, I attended support meetings, conferences and Nami conventions. I also read and studied the books from the Nami library. In 2010, I trained for and became a “Family-to-Family” teacher. In 2014, I became a support group Facilitator. Currently, I am a facilitator for the Evans City and Saxonburg support groups. I also had a role in the development of the Bulter CIT training program, and gave talks on “Family Impact.” Nami gave me the knowledge and support that enabled me to help my ill family member. I became a Nami volunteer because over the past sixteen years. I have acquired valuable knowledge and lived experience that can be of use for those who are having similar difficulties.
Bruce Wood
After four years of Navy duty, Bruce Wood worked in quality control and electro-mechanical engineering, and in sales as a Midwest sales manager. He was active in automotive and quality control associations, and established his own sales company selling gaging products in the upper Midwest. He also worked as a liaison construction engineer for a townhouse management company. Bruce was a member of the Canadian Legion holding several offices, including Commander of the Great Lakes Region. Bruce is on the Board of Directors for the Butler Lions Club, and joined the NAMI Butler PA Board in November 2019.
M. Kristine Broge
-Retired lifetime educator
34 years Elementary Education Teacher, Butler Area School District
12 years University Instructor, Slippery Rock University of PA
– Past MHA Board President and Board member Butler Chapter 2008-2017
– Current NAMI Executive Board Member, current office: Treasurer
– Active member of AFS (American Field Service)
Host family, sponsoring 4 international students, most recent, 2023-2024
-Education
BS in Education/Special Education, Grades K-12, Edinboro University of PA
MEd Special Education, K-12 Indiana University of PA
Post Graduate Studies in Administration (ABD) Indiana University of PA
We're Here to Listen
In Crisis?
Butler County Mental Health Crisis Services can be accessed by calling 1-800-292-3866 or by texting #63288.
Crisis services operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (the Lifeline)
24/7 Crisis workers available to support you
