Education

MSN, MGH Institute of Health Professions

Clinical Roots

30+ Years Registered Nurse
(Oncology Specialty)

National Impact

Architect of NSSC's State Policy Director Network

Core Expertise

Evidence-Based Care
Systems Accountability
AOT Advocacy

Affiliations

Advisor to AOTNOW
Policy Action Committee

Ann Corcoran, RN, MSN​

executive director

Ann Corcoran has served as Executive Director of the National Shattering Silence Coalition since September 2023. Since assuming leadership, she has guided the organization through a period of remarkable national growth — expanding NSSC to more than 950 members and building a network of State Policy Directors across the country. Her leadership has transformed NSSC from a grassroots effort into a growing national movement focused on advancing policy solutions for severe mental illness.

Clinical Integrity & Systems Accountability

A registered nurse for over 30 years, Ann spent much of her clinical career in oncology nursing, where she developed a deep commitment to evidence-based care, patient dignity, and systems accountability. Her transition into mental health advocacy was driven by profound frustration with the lack of timely, effective treatment available to individuals living with serious brain illnesses. Recognizing that untreated psychosis too often leads to homelessness, incarceration, and preventable tragedy, Ann became a strong advocate for Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) and other reforms that prioritize intervention before crisis.
​
Shifting the National Conversation
​
Ann believes that individuals living with severe mental illness are among the most marginalized populations in healthcare today. Through her leadership at NSSC, she works to shift the national conversation — reframing severe mental illness as a medical condition deserving of the same urgency and coordinated care as any other life-threatening disease. In addition to her work at NSSC, Ann serves as an advisor to AOTNOW and sits on the Policy Action Committee, helping shape strategic legislative priorities. Ann earned her MSN from MGH Institute of Health Professions and her vision remains a country where timely treatment replaces criminalization.