President

Jason Swain was raised in Del Rio, Texas. He left Del Rio at the age of 19 to explore the world while serving his country. Jason served in the US Army for 21 years. His time in the Army included tours of duty in Germany, Italy, Iraq, Macedonia, Kuwait, the United Kingdom, as well as stateside assignments in Arizona, Florida, New York, South Carolina, and Texas. He retired from the Army in 2012 and settled in Omaha, NE where he lives with his wife and son. He also has three stepchildren, a son-in-law, and three granddaughters with a fourth grandchild expected in May 2021. Jason completed a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Bellevue University in February 2020. He is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and holds a temporary Mental Health Counselor License in the state of Iowa. He currently practices in Red Oak, IA through Waubonsie Mental Health Center.

Vice-President

Jessica Duncan has been the Account Executive at Angels Care Home Health in Council Bluffs for over a year. Her position allows her the opportunity to be a community educator on preventive health, a social butterfly in the community to tell people about their homebound home health options, and also to be a resource in the community on Angels services including specialty programs like Behavioral Health, Anxiety/Depression and Alzheimer's/Dementia. Jessica completed her Bachelor's Degree in Health Care Administration and Policy with a minor in Sociology from Creighton University.

Jessica has family members that have lived through depression, friends that have lived through anxiety disorders and postpartum depression, and close loved ones that have been through different mental health diagnoses. Her hope in being an active member of NAMI is to make an impact personally and professionally in her community for those that are touched by the struggles of mental health concerns.

Treasurer

Secretary

Chelsey Hirt is the Area Director for Family Connections, INC in Glenwood, IA, Red Oak, IA and Plattsmouth, NE. Chelsey oversees all therapists and BHIS providers in those locations. Chelsey has been a licensed therapist since January 2017 and enjoys working with a multitude of clients. She is also the Vice President for Teammates Mentoring Program in Glenwood, IA and serves as a mentor in Glenwood, IA.

Chelsey is always looking to build connections around the area and help individuals get the resources and/or support they need in their community. Outside of work, Chelsey is a Volleyball Coach, Wife and Mother. She enjoys staying busy and being a part of greater causes. Chelsey’s hope is that by being on the NAMI Southwest Iowa board of directors she is able to continue serving the community in other ways as well as expanding her knowledge for mental health and her experience with those around.

Board Member

Brad Brake is a resident of Omaha, NE and has been the director of Harrison County Home and Public Health (HCHPH) in Logan, IA since August 2018. His primary responsibilities include oversight of the overall operation of the rural, county-based department as well as maintaining and improving the health and wellness of Harrison County residents. Recently, HCHPH received Mental Health America’s Platinum Bell Seal for leading the charge in workplace mental health practices. Brad received his B.A. in Sociology and Religious Studies from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN in 2010 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 2015. Prior to making the change to local public health, Brad served for three years as a public guardian with the Nebraska Supreme Court.

Board Member

Adam was born and raised in Monona County and has lived there for all but four years of his life. Those four years Adam attended the University of Nebraska Omaha to receive a Bachelor’s in Exercise Science.

After graduating, Adam was hired at the Burgess Health Center as the Wellness Center Program Exercise Coordinator. He evaluated each gym member to get a better understanding of how to help them achieve their health and wellness goals.

In February of 2020, Adam joined the Public Health department at Burgess and helped to understand community needs as well as mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Currently, he is the Director of Public Health at Burgess and continues to evaluate ways to improve the health and resources of Monona County.

In his free time, Adam enjoys spending time with his wife, three girls, dog, and friends. They hunt, fish, golf, and exercise. They really enjoy being outside whether on the go or just sitting and relaxing.

Board Member

Brigham Hoegh is a Southwest Iowa native who is passionate about mental health. She currently works as the Cass County Wellness Coordinator and serves the county as a connector and bridge builder between local groups focused on community health and wellness initiatives, including Healthy Cass County and the Cass County Local Food Policy Council. Brigham is also the Market Manager of Produce in the Park, a farmers’ market in Atlantic. She loves the community connections formed at farmers markets, and is happy to recommend local food, whatever the season. Brigham's favorite mental self-care activities include spending time with her pets, hiking, running, and journaling.

Board Member

Emily Martin is employed as a Development Specialist at Nishna Productions, Inc., a non-profit agency in southwest Iowa that provides supports for adults with disabilities to live and work in the community of their choice. Her primary duties include fundraising, community awareness and involvement activities, marketing, and public relations. She has worked at NPI for 3 years.

Emily has an undergraduate degree in elementary education and a master’s in business administration. She has always had a passion for work (and volunteerism) that educates and advocates for others. Emily was born into a military family and is herself a veteran (third generation). As a result, she has lived in many different communities and has a deep appreciation for the variety of people within those communities. She is an active member of the Stanton American Legion Post #406. Emily lives in Bethesda with her three teen-age boys. Her hobbies include gardening, quilting, reading, baking, and cheering for whatever activity her boys are involved in.

Board Member

Amanda Redlinger is a Council Bluffs RN, BSN. She has over 25 years of nursing experience in nearly every realm of psychiatric care. She believes in the “Recovery Model” of treatment which emphasizes and supports a person’s potential for recovery, while understanding that recovery looks different for each individual. Amanda has a husband, 3 grown children, 4 grandchildren, and a Mini Aussie named Bindi. Her activities include attending concerts and plays, camping, kayaking, gardening, riding her UTV, and going to junk stores with friends. She is very active in her church and volunteers at the Community of Christ Thrift Store.

Board Member

Maria Torres was born in El Salvador, where she lived until she was 10 years old, then came to the United States. She has been in the U.S. since that time. Maria currently works for Pottawattamie County Public Health as the Health Equity Coordinator, where she works every day to make sure all communities and people feel heard and represented. Maria joined NAMI because she is passionate about mental health and it's something that she has personally dealt with. Having post-partum depression and being diagnosed with PTSD made Maria aware that there are a lot of stigmas with mental health. Maria would like to serve on the NAMI Southwest Iowa Board of Directors to help bring more awareness regarding mental health and help people like herself get the help they need and deserve.