NAMI Massachusetts has an 18-member all-volunteer Board of Directors. The Board is composed of NAMI Mass members with a diversity of experiences and backgrounds. They set the budget, establish policies, and provide guidance around NAMI Mass programs and priorities.

Six Board members are elected each year by our membership at the annual state Convention, to serve for three-year terms.

↗ Read the NAMI Mass Bylaws 2023

Board Members
Maura Buxton
President
Betsy Post
Secretary
Karen Wolfson
Treasurer
Ewa Pytowska
Director
John “Jack” Ross
Director
Brandon Jones
Director
Zoe Larsen
Director
Craig Aarons-Martin
Director
Board Member Bios
Maura BuxtonPresident
Maura Buxton
President

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.

Woman with glasses smiling at camera
Betsy Post
Secretary

Betsy Post joined the NAMI Mass Board of Directors in 2022. She is also on the board of the Cambridge/Middlesex NAMI affiliate.  She is currently focused on being available for her loved ones.

Betsy is an experienced information professional. She enjoyed a career in college and university libraries where she assisted researchers, organized library collections, and made special collections available online. She holds an M.S. in Information Studies. She enjoys the outdoors and recently finished hiking from the MA/VT border to the MA/CT border on the Appalachian Trail.

Image of Karen smiling at the camera
Karen Wolfson
Treasurer

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.

Woman looking at camera, with water and beach in background.
Ewa Pytowska
Director

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.

Man smiling at camera, with coffee shop in the background.
John “Jack” Ross
Director

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.

Brandon JonesDirector
Brandon Jones
Director

Brandon is a new member of the Board of Directors. Brandon has witnessed the profound impact of structural issues like poverty, racism, and ableism on mental health challenges. As a result, he completed a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Trauma Studies and a PhD in Counseling & Psychology with a focus in transformative leadership, education, & applied research. He looks forward contributing his skills, experiences, and dedication to the NAMI Mass Board of Directors.

Zoe LarsenDirector
Zoe Larsen
Director

Zoe is a new member of the Board of Directors. 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. 

Craig Aarons-MartinDirector
Craig Aarons-Martin
Director

Craig is a new member of the Board of Directors. Craig has a background in education, including roles as a teacher, Principal, and Superintendent. In his current role, he works to inspire and empower school leaders and youth-serving organizations, develop decision-making strategies, and speaks on diversity, inclusion, social and emotional learning, and change management. Craig is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity and compassion where individuals and families can navigate their unique paths to healing and recovery with dignity and unwavering support.