T4GMH Announces New Co-Executive Directors

Texans for Greater Mental Health has announced the appointment of Vance McMurry and Mary Olivar as the organization’s new Co-Executive Directors, ushering in a new phase of growth, implementation, and statewide engagement following the historic passage of SB 2308, which approved clinical trials to study ibogaine for treating opioid use disorder, PTSD, and other severe mental health conditions.

As Texas continues to emerge as a national leader in innovative mental health research and policy, McMurry and Olivar will guide the organization through a critical period focused on legislative stewardship, public education, coalition-building, and institutional development.

“Texas is leading the country with both compassion and innovation when it comes to mental health care,” said McMurry and Olivar in a joint statement. “We are honored to build the next chapter of Texans for Greater Mental Health and to continue advancing responsible, research-driven solutions that support veterans, first responders, and all Texans seeking better mental health outcomes.”

McMurry brings more than 20 years of executive business development, sales, and operational leadership experience to the role. A West Point graduate and U.S. Army Disabled Veteran, who served in the 82nd Airborne Division, 101st Airborne Division, and The White House.  McMurry previously founded and scaled a statewide youth athletic league into a multi-million-dollar nonprofit organization serving more than 10,000 participants annually. 

Olivar brings more than three decades of experience building communities and mission-driven initiatives centered around wellbeing, education, and access. At Whole Foods Market, she helped grow a healthy eating initiative into a national public education program, leading large-scale campaigns focused on nutrition and wellness. Most recently, as Executive Director of the Center for Shamanic Education and Exchange, she expanded community engagement through fundraising, public programming, and mission-driven storytelling. Her work in public education, wellness innovation, and advocacy efforts at the Texas State Capitol has helped her cultivate strong relationships across researchers, clinicians, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and community leaders working to expand understanding and access to innovative mental health therapies.

Together, McMurry and Olivar represent a collaborative leadership model designed to support the organization’s expanding mission and growing statewide impact.

Texans for Greater Mental Health has played a leading role in advancing conversations around innovative mental health care in Texas, particularly in support of veterans and first responders. Under McMurry and Olivar’s leadership, the organization aims to continue building a trusted, collaborative, and forward-looking framework for mental health research and policy across the state.