Meet The NAMI Oklahoma Team

Executive Director
Lorna Palmer
Lorna graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Arts in Art History. She lives in Norman with her husband and two children.
Lorna has worked in the non-profit industry for nearly 20 years. She hopes to continue helping her fellow Oklahomans in her new role with NAMI.
Lorna is responsible for providing direction and leadership toward the achievement of NAMI Oklahoma’s vision, mission, goals and objectives. She ensures the successful organizational operations of education, advocacy, and support on behalf of individuals with mental illness and their families.
She has seen the impact mental illness has on a family firsthand and wants to ensure everyone has timely access to care and the support they need.

Chief Operating Officer
Andrea Michaels
Andrea has been with NAMI Oklahoma since October 1997. She manages operations, finances, human resource functions and more. Andrea has a Bachelor’s Degree with Honors in Business Management and a Paralegal Degree. She has also had specialized training in Nonprofit Standards of Excellence and Nonprofit Leadership and Finance.
Andrea has worked in the non-profit community for over 27 years. She finds that the most rewarding part of her work is being able to provide hope and to tell people, "You are not alone" when someone in need of help approaches NAMI.

Director of Affiliate Relations
Paula Stafford
At NAMI Oklahoma, Paula is responsible for supporting, strengthening, and developing all existing affiliates, while also being the affiliates’ primary point of contact.
Paula received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, her Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling, and her Master’s Degree in Administration at the University of Central Oklahoma.
Born and raised, Paula is a loyal and true Oklahoman, currently residing in central Oklahoma with her husband, Jim, and their two children.
She is able to tie both her passion and educational experience, along with her personal experiences, together to help support other families by letting them know that they are not alone in their journeys of mental health.

Director of Marketing & Development
Kieran Mahoney
Kieran is responsible for organizing, promoting, and leading all fundraising events, including NAMIWalks. She also manages our social media, website, quarterly newsletter and more.
Kieran is originally from Oklahoma City, but moved to New York City in 2012 to pursue her education. She graduated with a Bachelor's of Fine Arts degree in Film Writing/Directing. Shortly after graduating, she began her career in the customer experience/ social media field.
She is passionate about mental health advocacy and ensuring that mental health services are accessible to all. Coming from a place of lived experience, Kieran understands first hand the importance of addressing the stigma surrounding mental health and building a community of trust, hope, and empathy.

Programs Director
Deidra Hodge
Deidra was born and raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She has a Master of Arts in Leadership with an emphasis in Higher Education Administration from Mid-America Christian University. Deidra loves spending time with her family & friends and traveling the world!
There are many things Deidra is passionate about and mental illness awareness and education is at the top of her list! Deidra has also worked in the non-profit community here in Oklahoma City for the past 15 years.
Being able to help individuals as well as families live a quality of life they desire for themselves, is why she loves what she does and continues to work, educate and reach out to the mental illness community and their families.