Laurie-Marie Pisciotta, Executive Director

Laurie comes to the Mental Health Association with 17 years of nonprofit experience and a passion for helping, inspiring and leading. She is driven by the core belief that we are meant to take care of each other, especially our most vulnerable. 

The breadth of Laurie’s experience spans advocacy and human service roles. She has served as a lobbyist and policy analyst for the ACLU; a case manager at AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts; a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children in the child welfare system; Treatment Access Program Manager at Project HEAL; and the Director of Strategic Partnerships at NeedyMeds. 

Laurie recovered from anorexia nervosa when she was 17 years old. She has also survived two severe episodes of clinical depression and lives with complex PTSD. 

In her spare time, Laurie enjoys creative writing projects, sewing, hiking, running, reading, yoga and baking vegan treats. Her favorite inspirational quote is: “What hurts you, blesses you. Darkness is your candle.” ~ Rumi

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

H. Reed Cosper, Esq. – President

Sandra Victorino, LCMHC – Vice President

Robert Siminski, Ed.D. – Treasurer

Judith Fox , Esq. – Secretary

Maureen Apperson, RN, LCSW

Peter Chung

David Dove, Ph.D.

Ernestine G. Jennings, Ph.D.

Genevieve Martin, Esq.

CONSULTANTS

Karen Malcolm – Rhode Island Parity Initiative