Trudy Avery has been hired as Senior Director of Development at The Kennedy Forum, a national organization seeking to expand the coverage of mental health and substance use care to all who need it through public policy and coalition building. In her new role, Trudy will be responsible for developing and executing the organization’s comprehensive fundraising and donor relations programs.
Trudy brings over 25 years of development experience, most recently with Pavillon International, a non-profit substance use disorder treatment program located in western NC.
In addition to her professional career, Trudy sits on many organizational boards and community coalitions and has personally testified at the state and local levels on mental health parity and access to substance use disorder treatment.
She holds a BA from SUNY Excelsior College and a graduate certificate in Meeting Management from Bentley University.
Trudy and her husband, Rick, live in Sandwich, and are the parents of four sons. As a very grateful mother of a son in long-term recovery, Trudy’s passion is reflected in every aspect of her work.
About The Kennedy Forum:
Since 2013, The Kennedy Forum (TKF) has been leading a national effort to transform the way mental health and substance use disorder are treated in our healthcare system. Going into 2024, we have set our strategic focus on shepherding an inclusive movement that will ensure every person in the United States has access to the mental health and substance use treatment services and supports they need. Founded by Former Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy, who led a coalition of diverse stakeholders to pass the bipartisan Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, TKF has leveraged our unique role to coalesce a growing set of partners to advance the next generation of mental health and substance use disorder policy, including expanding insurance coverage, increasing access to evidence-based treatment, and improving health outcomes.
We have set audacious goals for 2033: 90% of people are screened for mental health and substance use disorders; 90% of those needing care receive evidence-based treatment, and of those treated, 90% are able to manage their symptoms into recovery.