We have several exciting announcements to make from our recent 2023 HIKE for Mental Health Board of Directors meeting. I’ll share two announcements here and keep you in suspense on the others a while longer.

Our co-founder Tom Kennedy opted not to put his name forward for a fifth term as Vice President of the Board. Tom will remain a voting member of the Board, but is stepping aside from the officer’s role as part of a planned transition to brings others into leadership roles with HIKE for Mental Health.

Taking up the post of Vice President is Brayden Donnelly. Brayden leads our #hikeOctober program and has served as a Director on the Board for the past two years.

I have been volunteering with HIKE for Mental Health since 2017. In this time I have worked as the campaign director for the annual #hikeOctober campaign, served as a board member, and am now the newly elected vice president. HFMH is a wonderful group of volunteers and participants from all across the country and world. I cherish each story I hear of how our organization has helped someone work through the challenges of mental illness. I am delighted to see the funds our community raises go entirely towards mental health research and trail conversation. And, I am grateful and excited to work as vice president to continue growing the impact that HFMH makes, especially here in the western United States.

Thank you, Brayden, for taking on this responsibility.

In addition, we are also excited to welcome Donna Chapman to our Board.  Donna has been involved with HIKE for Mental Health almost from it’s beginning. She leads our annual Bear Mountain Hike to Oktoberfest and has volunteered at a host of our other hikes over the years, including Summit Mountain Washington. An avid trail supporter and advocate, she is the Director of Admissions at Renaissance Rehabilitation and Nursing Care Center, the Volunteer Appalachian Trail Chair East of the Hudson, the Appalachian Trail Ambassador for the Harlem Valley Appalachian Trail Community, and the Hiking Delegate for New York State Trails Council.

I am honored to be the newest Board member for an organization I truly believe in and have been affiliated with since 2012 as a hike leader and volunteer . As a nurse I know how important Mental Health research and treatment is and as a Trail Volunteer am dedicated to preserving our trails for future generations to come.

Welcome to the Board, Donna!

And stay tuned for more great news coming soon…