Board of Directors

Maura Buxton has been a Massachusetts native her whole life, passionate supporter of mental health causes, and healthcare leader for the past 14 years. Her work in healthcare started at a health plan (Tufts Health Plan which is now Point32Health) for 4 years ensuring that wellness/mental health benefits were robust for MA resident, and now at CVS Health for the past decade focused on business to business competitive strategy and growth.

Personally, she was drawn to NAMI MA’s mission as she has been deeply impacted by loved ones that have struggled with their mental health and completed Samaritan crisis hotline training in 2004, and in 2022 while receiving her MBA from Kellogg/Northwestern University she founded a start up for mental health care during COVID as she saw the rest of the world struggle under the weight of the pandemic.

Ms. Wolfson serves as the Assistant Vice President, Taxation for the Beth Israel Lahey Health network, a health care delivery system with affiliates located throughout eastern Massachusetts. The network is comprised of tax-exempt teaching and community hospitals, physician groups and other taxable and non-taxable entities. In her role Ms. Wolfson is responsible for overall tax strategies and tax risk assessment, advising executive management and handling tax compliance, special projects and other tax matters. Ms. Wolfson also has significant experience in educating others on non-profit tax matters. She has spoken at, served on the planning committee for, and/or served as chair/co-chair for national and regional conferences addressing non-profit healthcare tax issues.

Ms. Wolfson is also a long-time active local community volunteer. In addition to serving as Treasurer and Trustee for NAMI MA, Ms. Wolfson currently serves on the board of, and as a Trustee for, Mayyim Hayyim Living Waters Community Mikveh in Newton, MA. She has also served on, and chaired multiple committees at, Temple Beth Elohim in Wellesley, MA and is a past Trustee/Advisory Board Member of the Wellesley Scholarship Foundation. Previously she held several positions supporting the Wellesley Public Schools including Treasurer of the Wellesley Central Council of PTOs, School Council Member for Wellesley Middle School and Bates Elementary School (Bates) and President of the Bates PTO.

Ms. Wolfson holds a J.D. from Boston University and a B.S. in Economics from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. She lives with her husband, has two sons and two dogs.

My name is Ewa Irena Pytowska. I aspire is to be a peer voice on the NAMI Mass Board which I joined in 2015. My middle name – Irena – means “peace” in Greek which I find quite ironic considering that my life with bipolar illness for over 40 years has been anything but peaceful!

In 2014, I put my history of mental health struggles to good use and became a Certified Peer Specialist. As a member of the NAMI Greater Boston Peer Support and Advocacy Network, I facilitate a weekly support group and offer individual assistance to peers who reach out to me for help. I am also the designated leader of the NAMI Greater Boston affiliate.

Previously a teacher, a staff development specialist and a college instructor, I retired from working for over a decade as an Assistant Superintendent of Schools. I am a graduate of Bryn Mawr College and twice of the Harvard University Graduate School of Education.

The city of Boston is my home, where I have lived and raised a family for the past 40 years. I was born and raised in Poland, and speak three languages: Polish, Italian and English. I live in a multilingual and multiethnic neighborhood. My life in Boston gives me deep understanding and appreciation of the strength cultural diversity brings to organizations small and big.

Before joining the board of NAMI Mass, I served for many years on the board of directors of NAMI Central Mass. I have a commitment to give back in the area of mental illness, having survived bipolar depression that nearly took my life. In 2016, I lost my youngest son, Hale, to suicide. My work in the mental health area is dedicated to Hale’s remarkable life.

I served as president of NAMI Central Mass from 2018-2022, and had the privilege of leading a very committed group of individuals in our core mission of improving the lives of persons struggling with mental illness and their families. I taught a Family-to-Family class, and recently became involved with the In Our Own Voice program. I enjoy public speaking, and IOOV provides me with an opportunity to share my story of recovery and hope.

I also serve as president of the board of trustees for the Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital. My involvement with WRCH is particularly meaningful to me given that I spent time in several psychiatric hospitals.

I have a diverse background in law, mediation, teaching, and journalism. After graduating from Yale University and the University of Virginia School of Law, I practiced law in Washington, D.C. and also served as Adjunct Professor of Law at Washington and Lee University School of Law. Currently, I am an instructor in constitutional law with the Worcester Institute for Senior Education at Assumption University and facilitate a Supreme Court discussion group. I also write a column for Northeast Golf magazine.

Shayla is a new member of the Board of Directors. Shayla has made it her life’s mission to expand access to mental health services for all. With a family steeped in health services, she grew up understanding the critical importance of mental wellbeing. Even before embarking on her professional career, Shayla dedicated countless volunteer hours to support the mental stability of student athletes. She saw firsthand how the intense pressures of competition could take a toll on young people’s minds without proper care and support. When Shayla entered the investment industry, she again made mental health a priority. Recognizing the immense stress that financial careers can induce, she worked closely with internal teams to ensure her company’s insurance policies covered all mental health therapy services to employees. Shayla firmly believes that emotional wellbeing is a fundamental human right, not a luxury for only those who can pay. Her personal experiences equipped her with both empathy for those struggling mentally and knowledge of how to help. With unwavering passion, Shayla continues advocating day after day to expand mental health assistance to disadvantaged groups. Her vision is a world where everyone has access to the psychological support they need to fulfill their human potential.

Zoe is a certified peer specialist, volunteer advocate for mental health needs of patients and family members, and Director of Housing and Respite Services at a non-profit organization. Zoe is trained in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and finishing a Master’s degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Non-Profit Management. Zoe’s passion for mental health advocacy, support, awareness, and experience working with diverse groups piqued her interest in NAMI’s mission.