Jonah C. Cunningham currently serves as President and CEO of the National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors (NACBHDD). In this role he proactively advocates for national policies that recognize and support the critical role counties play in caring for people affected by mental illness, addiction, and developmental disabilities. In this capacity he also serves as Executive Director of the National Association for Rural Mental Health.

Prior to joining NACBHDD, Jonah worked at Trust for America’s Health, a public health think tank, where he focused extensively on ways to reduce mortality from substance misuse and suicide. Additionally, he worked as a congressional staffer for several years in the office of Congresswoman Grace F. Napolitano (CA) where he helped to reestablish the Congressional Mental Health Caucus and created a Suicide Prevention Task Force within the Caucus.

Jonah C. Cunningham has received numerous awards and recognition for his commitment to the field of behavioral health and those served by the nation’s behavioral health system. Jonah has a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of Utah and a Master of Public Policy from The George Washington University. In his free time, he enjoys learning how to cook and is an avid Jiu-Jitsu practitioner.

Grace Pennix serves as Member Services Coordinator for the National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors (NACBHDD). In this role she performs a wide range of duties supporting the seamless operation of NACBHDD. Grace is a critical liaison to members and partners by leading membership management and engagement, event and program coordination, and communication

Grace is a native of Louisville, KY, and has a rich background in mental health. She has worked as a Mental Health Technician in both residential and medical facilities. Her hands-on experience has deepened her understanding of the challenges within the behavioral health sector and fueled her commitment to improving access to vital mental health resources.

Grace is pursuing her Master of Public Health (MPH) in Health Policy at George Washington University. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Biology from Fisk University. She is passionate about making behavioral health services more accessible and equitable. In her free time, she enjoys exploring thrift shops for unique finds and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.