Karen Ranus (she/her) has more than 30 years in the nonprofit sector most recently serving as Executive Director of the Central Texas affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for more than eight years. In January 2023, she joined the Travis County Sheriff’s Office to launch a system-wide trauma informed care program. Karen is most proud of her work in helping plan the new Austin State Hospital scheduled to open in 2023. She has been featured in numerous publications focused on mental health policy and issues and is a frequent speaker in the community on mental health topics. As a woman managing the long-term effects of PTSD and a mother of three adult children living successfully with depression and anxiety, she is passionate about addressing the mental health myths that keep people from getting the help and support they need to live healthy and productive lives.
