President of the Board
2026-2027

Board Member 2021-2023; 2024-2025

Chestnut Health Systems | Director of Business Development

With over 32 years in behavioral health in Missouri, Jim began his career in 1989 as a Deputy Juvenile Officer, working with at-risk adolescents in Pike, Lincoln and St. Charles counties. He further was employed with the Missouri Division of Youth Services as a Service Coordinator and Facility Manager. Jim is currently the Missouri Director of Business Development at Chestnut Health Systems. As an adjunct faculty member at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, Jim also teaches a master’s level “Family Policy and Advocacy” class at the School of Social Work. 

Accepting the invite to serve on the Hope Creates board was a “no brainer” for Jim. He has worked in the field of Behavioral Health for the past 30+ years, and also has been impacted by substance abuse and mental health issues within his family. Breaking down stigma to treat substance use, addiction, and mental health diagnoses to be viewed and treated as other types of primary health diseases is the goal. Utilizing the arts and creativity to help educate and advocate this goal with community change makers is an effective avenue for this change.