Leo R. Walker, President & Treasurer

Leo WalkerFor more than 20 years, Leo worked with private and public sector organizations in a variety of leadership roles. He currently owns and runs a senior home care agency in the Houston area.

His mom battled schizophrenia much of her adult life. He co-founded HIKE for Mental Health to help find better solutions to the challenges of mental illness while sharing his love for hiking and backpacking with others. A native Vermonter, Leo was graduated from Bowdoin College with a dual major in comparative religion and philosophy.

Contact Leo at leo.walker@hikeformentalhealth.org


Tom P. Kennedy, Vice President

Tom Kennedy, Vice President of Hike for Mental HealthTom fell in love with wilderness hiking the moment he set foot on the Appalachian Trail. Born in 1952, he has been an outdoorsman most of his life. He has traveled extensively in the USA and Europe as a sales person and sales trainer. Now retired, he works part-time with REI, volunteers around the world, and does seasonal stints at hostels along the AT.

Tom has supported his sister’s battle with depression and co-founded HIKE for Mental Hike to help her and the millions of others who support loved ones with mental illness.

Contact Tom at tom.kennedy@hikeformentalhealth.org


Nancy A. Kozanecki, Secretary

Exhibiting a strong sense of community, Nancy has dedicated herself to volunteering for and working with nonprofit organizations for decades. As a professional engineer, her work takes her around the globe on a regular basis. Back at home, she has served as city councilor and is a founding member and officer of other nonprofits.

Originally from Illinois, Nancy earned her BS degree in chemical engineering from Tri-State University (now Trine University) and her MS in chemistry from the University of Houston. Nancy co-founded HIKE for Mental Health to help advance the scientific effort to discover causes, cures and treatments for mental health diseases.

Contact Nancy at nancy.kozanecki@hikeformentalhealth.org


Brayden Donnelly, Board Member

Brayden has been involved with HIKE for Mental Health since 2017, creating, and working primarily on, the #hikeOctober campaign. Brayden’s role with HFMH expanded in 2021 as a new member of the Board of Directors.

As an avid outdoor hobbyist in the Pacific Northwest, Brayden combines a degree and background in Environmental Policy, alongside self-taught skills in photography, videography, graphic design and writing.

Inspired by personal experiences of mental illness, Brayden continues volunteering to bolster the conversation surrounding mental health and support the conservation of trails that help souls heal.

Contact Brayden at brayden@hikeformentalhealth.org