The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Iowa Board of Directors announced that Ryan Crane will become the organization’s next executive director, beginning Nov. 27. Crane previously served as director of philanthropy for the Des Moines Community Playhouse since November 2020 and has held various leadership positions at the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, Primary Health Care Inc., Planned Parenthood of the Heartland and One Iowa. Crane will replace Peggy Hubert, who has served as NAMI Iowa’s executive director since 2016 and plans to retire at the end of 2023. NAMI Iowa is a statewide organization that provides advocacy, education and support for the most important mental health issues. “There is a lot of work to be done as we seek to improve access to mental health services and resources,” Crane said in a prepared statement. “NAMI Iowa is at the forefront of an exciting and encouraging trend, as more people now see mental health as an everyday part of their lives, and stigma around the issue is reduced. My background of community leadership and connecting donors to important causes can help propel NAMI Iowa into the future.”