Elected Board of Directors serve two-year terms with the possibility of reappointment per our NAMI Utah bylaws.
To contact the NAMI Utah board, please email .
Amanda Rapacz, President
Amanda Rapacz lives in South Jordan with her husband and twin toddler boys. She earned a Doctorate in Psychology from Illinois School of Professional Psychology. Amanda works at Utah State Hospital as the Director of Psychology and was the president of the Utah Psychological Association from 2020-2021. Amanda joined the board of directors in 2021 because she has a strong desire to support and advocate for individuals who have mental illness. Amanda says, “Participating in NAMI, the national and local leader of such advocacy work, only made sense.”
Carmela Panadero, Secretary
Carmela Pandero lives in Taylorsville with her husband and two children. She earned a Masters of Science in Social Work Development and Administration from Philippine Women’s University. Carmela is the Operation Manager for Homeless & Housing at Valley Behavioral Health. She has volunteered with the Virlanie Foundation and assisted in building a pre-school in the Philippines. Carmela has been on the board of directors since 2018. She joined the board to break the stigma of mental health and raise awareness on mental health issues.
Allison Heffernan
Andrea Cook
Andrea Cook is a wife and mother of three living in North Ogden. She is a Certified Human Resources Professional and is currently an HR Leader responsible for full-cycle HR. Andrea joined NAMI Utah in 2021 to help break down barriers to resources and care, to help stop the stigma around mental illness, and to help normalize talking about mental health in the workplace. Andrea volunteers with several nonprofits. In addition to NAMI Utah, she sits on the Board of Directors of Aeon for Ocean and serves as their HR advisor. Andrea is also the volunteer Director of Human Resources for Super 7 Girls.
Angela Flanagan
Christina Osburn
Christina Osburn lives in Cottonwood Heights and is an avid community volunteer, serving her community for over 25 years. Currently, she is a volunteer for NAMI Utah as an In Our Own Voice presenter and Outreach Committee member. Christina has been on the NAMI Utah Board of Directors since 2017 and joined because she herself struggles with mental health conditions and wants to use her life experience for positive mental health change.
Jake Peterson
Jake Peterson lives in Eagle Mountain with his wife and four daughters. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Communications. Jake works at Bamboo HR as a Project Manager and Internal Operations. Jake joined the board of directors in 2021 because, "Man's greatest happiness comes from losing himself for the good of others."
Karen Mata
Karen Mata lives in Salt Lake City with her partner, son, and two stepsons. She earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Behavioral Science and Health Education. Karen is the Founder/CEO of HuB Solutions and Vice President of People and Culture at Bluesource. She volunteers for People Helping People, the Governor’s Committee, Employment of People with Disabilities, and Project Protect Health. Karen joined the board of directors in 2021 because she wants to be a part of the solution to help her community and to let others know that no one is alone and there is help and resources available.
Maddi Tapp
Maddi Tapp currently resides in Midvale, UT, but was raised in the Bay Area of California. She joined NAMI Utah as a board member in 2018. Maddi graduated from BYU-Idaho in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and has been in in the event management field ever since. Maddi has managed large events such as conventions with 8,000 attendees, choreographing firework shows, and overseeing logistics for other events. She has also volunteered doing events for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints such as managing the youth choir for the October 2017 General Conference. Maddi been married to her husband Marshall Tapp for 9 years. They are the parents of two Ragdoll cats. Maddi enjoys weather forecasting, interior design, landscape design, and DNA genealogy.
In 2014, Maddi was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and General Anxiety Disorder after years of knowing something wasn’t quite right and not being able to put her finger on it. After learning more about her diagnosis and knowing there is no cure, she has gotten involved in organizations that help those suffering from mental illness and also help lift the negative stigma around mental illness. Maddi may not be able to fix mental illness, but she can help others in their journey to find resources and live the best life they can.
Meredith Wilson
