Mental Health Association of Maryland Announces Retirement of CEO Linda Raines After 40 Years of Transformative Leadership
Board Launches National CEO Search in Partnership with DRiWaterstone Human Capital
August 14, 2026
LUTHERVILLE, MD: The Board of Directors of the Mental Health Association of Maryland (MHAMD) today announced that Linda Raines, who has served as the organization’s Chief Executive Officer for 40 years, has informed the Board of her plans to retire. Raines will remain in her role until her successor is in place, ensuring a thorough and well-supported leadership transition. She will then continue to serve as a consultant to MHAMD into 2027.
“Linda Raines has dedicated four decades of her life to building a more just and humane mental health system in Maryland,” said George Kimes, Board President and Chair of the Succession Planning Committee. “Her leadership has touched the lives of countless Marylanders and transformed the landscape of mental health advocacy in our state. The Board is deeply grateful for her service and committed to honoring her extraordinary legacy through a thoughtful and rigorous succession process.”
Raines joined MHAMD in 1986 as its third staff member, having previously worked in policy on Capitol Hill. Under her leadership, the organization expanded from a small advocacy office into a statewide force for mental health systems change, growing its annual revenue to $6.4 million and launching nationally recognized programs including Mental Health First Aid Maryland, the Consumer Quality Team, Children’s Mental Health Matters, Healthy New Moms and Older Adults Vibrant Minds. She also founded Brain Futures, a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing brain health policy and research.
“It has been the honor of my professional life to serve alongside the staff, board, partners, and advocates who make this work possible,” said Raines. “Maryland’s behavioral health community is strong, resilient, and deeply committed to the people we serve. I am confident that the right leader will carry this mission forward with the same passion and strategic vision that have guided MHAMD for over a century.”
National Search Underway
The MHAMD Board of Directors has been planning for this transition for many months. A Succession Planning Committee, chaired by Board President George Kimes and including board members Beth Sammis, Diane Stollenwerk, Edgar Wiggins, Randall Lutz, and Vickie Walters, has met regularly to guide the process.
The Board has retained DRiWaterstone Human Capital, a national executive search firm, to partner with the Succession Planning Committee to identify and evaluate candidates for the next Chief Executive Officer. DRiWaterstone specializes in executive search for purpose-driven and mission-focused organizations.
Individuals interested in applying for the position or referring candidates are encouraged to contact DRiWaterstone Human Capital directly:
Doug Trout, CEO: trout@driwaterstonehc.com
Andrew Wheeler, Managing Director: wheeler@driwaterstonehc.com
About Mental Health Association of Maryland
Founded in 1915, the Mental Health Association of Maryland is the nation’s second oldest mental health citizen advocacy organization. MHAMD is committed to ensuring every Marylander’s fundamental right to quality mental health and substance use care through systems and policy change; oversight of service quality; outreach, education and training; and rapid access to science-informed, evidence-based advances in care. For more information, visit mhamd.org.
About DRiWaterstone Human Capital
DRiWaterstone Human Capital is a boutique executive search firm recognized by Forbes magazine as one of the leading executive recruiting firms in the United States. With a focus on purpose and mission-driven organizations, DRiWaterstone provides executive search and strategic consulting services to help regional, national, and international clients grow, thrive, and excel. For more information, visit driwaterstonehc.com.
Media Contact
George Kimes
Mental Health Association of Maryland
gkimes1@verizon.net
mhamd.org