Lauren Smith, PhD

Director of Education and Engagement
She/Her/Hers

Lauren Smith joined the NAMI Chicago team in 2026 as the Director of Education and Engagement. Lauren brings extensive experience across academic, clinical, and community-based settings, with a professional focus on trauma-informed, culturally responsive education and mental health systems. Her work spans higher education teaching and supervision, school-based mental health programming, public health, applied research and community partnership development, with a strong emphasis on equity, access, and collective healing.

Lauren earned her PhD in School-Clinical Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin and is currently completing her MPH in Health Policy and Administration at the University of Illinois Chicago. In her free time, Lauren enjoys running races in support of meaningful causes, trying new recipes and cooking techniques, watching thrillers, and spending quality time with loved ones.