Welcome to the official The House of You® Podcast Sponsored by Voices for Voices, where we discuss how mental health and our careers intertwine. I’m your host, Justin Alan Hayes, business professor, author, career coach, Founder, and President of The House of You®.

Here at The House of You®, we’re passionate about helping others navigate their workforce preparation while thriving on their mental health journey. So, we’re sitting down with career professionals and mental health advocates to take a deep dive into our professional lives, ambitions, swap stories on mental health in relation to career moves, and so much more. 

From making the leap to transition careers, job losses, difficult interview experiences, feeling stuck or helpless in your current position, whatever the case may be—we’re so glad you’ve found us. Join The House of You® as we explore raw and real stories of mental health and the workplace. No matter where you are in your career, you’re not alone. Welcome Home.

In this episode, Founder of The House of You® Justin Alan Hayes interviews Leslie Powlette-Stoyer and Ron Rett, Co-Executive Director's at NAMI Summit County. Leslie & Ron describe the mission, vision, history and the future outlook for the organization.

Leslie just celebrated her tenth year as Co-Executive Director of NAMI Summit County. NAMI Summit County is a grassroots, self-help organization formed in 1986. It is comprised of families and friends, and those impacted by severe mental illness. It is a local affiliate of NAMI Ohio and the NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) which was founded in 1979. The mission of NAMI Summit County is to improve the quality of life for families and individuals who are impacted by mental illness through support, education, and advocacy.

NAMI Summit County was named Affiliate of the Year in April 2021 by NAMI Ohio. In 2018, NAMI Summit County was presented with an Award of Excellence at the Morgan Impact Awards Dinner for exemplary leadership by facilitating partnerships among organizations and finding ways to focus on solutions, not problems. After relocating to the Akron area in 2000, Leslie volunteered for NAMI Summit County as well as other Summit County nonprofits. Prior to that, Leslie practiced law in Morristown, New Jersey concentrating in corporate and real estate litigation. She served as Law Clerk to the Honorable John J. Harper, Superior Court of New Jersey, and is a graduate of Seton Hall University School of Law and Cedar Crest College. She sits on several local mental health advisory committees, including Summit County Maternal Depression Network, Summit County Mental Health Courts (municipal and common pleas), New Day Court (probate division).

Prior to serving as Co-Executive Director of NAMI Summit County in 2011, Ron was Consultant to NAMI Ohio and NEOUCOM, Mental Health Medication Hotline Physician Contact Project. He served as Director of the Mental Health Housing Program for NAMI Ohio from June 2006 through July of 2009. He has an extensive sales and management background having worked at Enterprise Rental Car and a regional sales manager for Orthocom. He is a graduate of Ohio University and certified in Six Sigma. He sits on many local mental health agency boards and advisory committees.

You can reach NAMI Summit County at:
Email: info@namisummit.org
Phone: 330-252-1188
Website: www.namisummit.org
National website: www.nami.org

For more information, please visit us at The House of You® and check out our book series Prescription for Living and 5 Workforce Preparation Tips for a Successful Career. Until next time, I’m Justin Alan Hayes—and we’re excited you’re here.

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Voices for Voices is a 501c3 nonprofit founded to provide a platform for folks to share their stories with others as we work to break the negative stigma around mental health and disabilities. In the future VfV will provide free mental health care to those in need throughout the community. Voices for Voices is a 501c3 that survives solely by charitable contributions. GIVE TODAY