CHUCK STRAND

Rural Minds Executive Director and Board Member

As the executive director of Rural Minds, Chuck Strand leads a dedicated team of professionals committed to developing content and opportunities to confront mental health challenges and the stigma that surrounds mental illness in rural communities.

Chuck’s background includes nonprofit leadership and patient advocacy as the CEO of Us TOO International, a prostate cancer nonprofit where he established and expanded partnerships, sponsorships, and fundraising along with educational program development and content creation. Chuck also has extensive marketing and communications agency account management experience working with Fortune 500 client companies.

He is passionate about doing purposeful work to help improve rural mental health and wellness and is honored to be serving as the executive director of Rural Minds. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from Ferris State University and completed coursework at DePaul University and the University of Illinois.

Chuck and his wife live in suburban Chicago where they raised their family. But he grew up in a very small town in rural northern Michigan near the shores of Lake Superior and experienced the mental health challenges that are common throughout rural America.