Christy Buck is the Executive Director of the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan. With more than 33 years of experience in the mental health field, Buck’s passion for transforming and saving lives through mental health education led her to develop two classroom programs, ‘Live, Laugh, Love’ for middle and high school students, and ‘be nice.’ Since 2006, she and her staff have passionately presented to over 200,000 people in West Michigan on mental health awareness, bullying and suicide prevention. Buck regularly delivers speaking engagements to community and business groups on mental health awareness. She is certified in Question Persuade and Refer and Mental Health First Aid, which she has been recognized as one of the top 100 in the country.

Christy serves on the Grandville School Board and is involved with numerous community organizations and coalitions. Most recent honors include 2017 American Red Cross Hometown, 2017 Athena Finalist, 2017 Art Van Charity of Hope Award, 2018 50 Most Influential Women In West Michigan, 2019 Daughters of the American Revolution Women In History and most recently finalist for Brilliance Award Woman of the Year.

Christy enjoys spending time with her family - hubby Tim, and kids - Demetrios, Katerina, Isabella and granddog, Riggins and the community of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church! She is a proud graduate of Michigan State University.

Therran has been both a volunteer and an employee at the Mental Health Foundation of WM. He started with the MHFWM in 2006. Therran studied finance at Michigan State University. His most recent employment, prior to being with the Foundation was in building maintenance (volunteer) with the Food Bank of East Michigan. Therran has been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and has had great success with his recovery.

Catherine (Cat) started at the Foundation as an AmeriCorps member in 2011. She works as a Program Coordinator, orchestrating be nice. in Middle and High Schools, as well as instructing all of the MHF's offered programs including the be nice. Action Plan, Mental Health First Aid, and QPR. Cat is a native Grand Rapidian who graduated from Michigan State University with a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies - Health Studies and is so excited to be educating young people and the community about a topic that she needed information about in her own youth. In her free time, Cat races sailboats, feeds chickens, and hikes the North Country Trail to protect her mental health.

Jennifer joins the Mental Health Foundation as Development Director bringing 20 years of experience in donor relations and fundraising. Jen’s background includes professional work in the fields of healthcare, social services, and higher education philanthropy. At the Mental Health Foundation, Jennifer works to honor community members dedicated to mental health awareness and to connect with others passionate for the cause. Jen is grateful for her husband and two children who keep her laughing on a daily basis. She tries to find time for listening to her favorite podcasts, reading, admiring design blogs, and getting enough sunshine. Jennifer is a proud graduate of Aquinas College where she studied political science.

Isabella (Bella) Buck has been involved with the foundation in many capacities, and is excited to be a part of the Program Department! As the Retention Specialist, she contacts liaisons throughout the year to ensure they are confident in implementing be nice. at their school. A graduate of Aquinas College, she studied English, journalism & communication. She enjoys local coffee shops, power walking with her dog, and playing tennis.