As head of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Minnesota, Sue Abderholden “brought the muscle of love to bear on our mental health systems,” said Kirsten Anderson, the executive director of AspireMN.

“Sue is fearless, and she is incredibly capable,” Anderson said. “She is deeply committed, based on her love of people and her resolve that we can build what’s needed and we can always do better. … The ferocity that is associated with her and her legacy comes from an incredible amount of love.”

Abderholden, 71, of Minneapolis, retires on Wednesday after 24 years as executive director of NAMI Minnesota.

During her tenure, she has been a driving force behind major legislative reforms that transformed the state’s mental health system, successfully advocating for the passage of more than 20

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