Ray Merenstein

Executive Director at NAMI Colorado

Homegrown Care: Care you can Provide

In 2002, Mr. Merenstein returned to his native Denver after a decade of health care advocacy work in Washington, DC. Over the course of the next four years, he oversaw the fundraising for The Children’s Hospital Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children’s Miracle Network, and The Children’s Hospital Research Institute as part of The Children’s Hospital Foundation’s $250 million Imagine the Miracles comprehensive campaign. In 2004, under his leadership, approximately $15 million were raised for these entities as part of a $51 million record fundraising year for The Children’s Hospital Foundation. In December 2005, Ray launched RDM Communications tying his political, media and fundraising acumen into one package on behalf of government, non-profit and corporate clients. His development and communications expertise has serviced respected organizations such as The Denver Hospice, The GLBT Community Center, Governor’s Residence Preservation Fund, and Mental Health Center of Denver. Ray became Executive Director of NAMI Colorado (National Alliance on Mental Illness) in January 2021. He holds a master’s degree in mass communication from the University of Florida and a bachelor’s degree in American Studies from Tulane University. His efforts in media relations and public outreach have garnered him the American Hospital Association’s Silver Touchstone and Circle of Distinction and the Colorado Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America’s Gold Pick. He has been quoted or published in the Wall Street Journal, Science, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Business Week, USA Today, Nature and numerous daily newspapers and broadcast media across the country. Mr. Merenstein has testified before Congress, spoken at press conferences nationwide and presented regularly to health and communication groups locally and nationally. He served as chair Colorado’s Special Education Advisory Committee. Former volunteer service includes boards of American Jewish Committee, Safe2Tell and Denver Public School Foundation’s Development Committee. Ray and his wife, Ilana Steinberg, live in Denver with their son and two daughters.

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