Eliza (she/her) is a writer, national trainer, speaker, curriculum developer, and advocate. Prior to her appointment as IED, her role at NAMI Mass was Deputy Director of Programs, overseeing all programming for the organization, including peer, family and community education programs, as well as the Compass Helpline. Eliza has worked in the non-profit sector in Massachusetts for over two decades, supporting and advocating for people and families with life interrupting challenges: trauma, mental health conditions, problems with substances, being unhoused and systems of oppression. This work, in addition to her own lived experience, has shaped Eliza’s lifelong passion for social justice, equity and amplifying the voices of those most marginalized. As a queer woman whose young adult life was interrupted by her own mental health struggles and the associated discrimination, Eliza knows firsthand the way that mental health systems can help as well as do harm. At NAMI Mass, Eliza leads a team that strives to develop and offer programs and supports that honor the experiences, dignity, and humanity of each member of our community. Eliza holds a Master of Education with a focus in Conflict Resolution and Violence Prevention and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, both from Lesley University. Outside of NAMI, Eliza is lead trainer for the state’s Certified Peer Specialist training through the Kiva Centers. In her free time, you’ll find Eliza submerged in the Atlantic Ocean, dancing with her wife in their kitchen or chasing her dogs, Nelson and Clementine.
Senior Manager, Education & Support
Deputy Director, Development
Compass Helpline Director
Interim Executive Director
To contact our Executive office, please email executive@namimass.org
Ilya Cherkasov (he/him) is a Senior Manager of Education and Support at NAMI Massachusetts. He holds a Master of Science Degree in Ethics and Public Policy from Suffolk University. Eight years ago, Ilya’s own and his family’s encounters with mental health challenges led him to NAMI. Ilya is a trained NAMI FSG facilitator, F2F teacher and Basics teacher. In his work he assists over 200 family education and support program leaders in Massachusetts with delivering NAMI signature programs to communities across the state. Ilya is deeply committed to the NAMI mission and finds huge reward in seeing the organization’s strength grow. Among other things, he embraces the principles found in the Stoic teachings.
Jill (she/her) is the Director of the Compass Helpline at NAMI Massachusetts, where she leads a small but dedicated team of Compass Navigators. Before coming to NAMI Mass in 2016, Jill worked for more than 10 years in information & referral and peer and family support roles. Jill brings decades of experience navigating service systems for herself, family, and friends, and is grateful for the opportunity to support others in their journey as part of Compass. Jill is an advocate for harm reduction-based approaches in care and the belief that people are the experts on their own lives. She is passionate about suicide prevention and the idea that housing is an essential first step to wellness. Jill finds restoration in time spent with her son, well-organized spaces, and misguided adventures.
Looking for resources? contact Compass directly for the quickest response. Call Compass at 617-704-6264 or email us at compass@namimass.org. Learn more about the NAMI Mass Compass Helpline.
To contact our Programs department, please email programs@namimass.org
Joe Di Mauro (he/him) is the Deputy Director of Development for NAMI Massachusetts. He is responsible for developing and implementing fundraising strategies to support the organization’s mission while working closely with other departments, such as marketing and communications, finance, and program management, to coordinate fundraising efforts. Before assuming this position, Joe had over 10 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. He first began his career in political organizing, contributing to the victories of marriage equality in Rhode Island and worker’s rights issues in Massachusetts, including raising the minimum wage twice, earned sick time, and paid family medical leave. He attributes his professional evolution from political organizing into fundraising to his interest in relational networking, political background, and his own lived experiences; as a First Generation American and member of the LGBTQIA+ community. When he is not developing and implementing fundraising strategies, he is organizing an LGBTQIA+ hiking group, enjoying recreational sports, and is planning his next solo trip adventure.
To contact our Development department, please email fundraising@namimass.org
To contact our Policy, Advocacy, & Communications department, please email policy@namimass.org