Public Health Expert Brings Diverse Expertise in Support of the Community
Tulsa, OK (September 10, 2024) — Mental Health Association Oklahoma (MHAOK) has named government and community leader Carrie Blumert as Chief Executive Officer. A native Oklahoman, Carrie has spent her life and career supporting individuals with mental health challenges and has worked collaboratively with MHAOK for many years.
Since 2019, Blumert has served as the District 1 Oklahoma County Commissioner where she has worked passionately to make county government more transparent and accessible for all. In her time as County Commissioner, Blumert led the 2019 Metropolitan Area Projects 4 (MAPS4) Mental Health Initiative, which resulted in over $40 million in investments in a new crisis intervention center called Restoration Center and a 30-unit supportive housing development. She was also critical in providing $2 million in gap financing for 5 affordable housing projects during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I am deeply honored and excited to join Mental Health Association Oklahoma, an organization that has long been at the forefront of addressing some of our state’s most pressing challenges,” said Blumert. “Mental health, addiction recovery and housing are not just professional interests for me—they are personal passions. I am committed to building on MHAOK’s legacy and working alongside our partners to continue creating meaningful, positive change for our community.”
“The board is thrilled to welcome Carrie as our new CEO,” said MHAOK Board President Sam Clancy of Tulsa. “She embodies the visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to public
service that our organization needs at this pivotal time. Her extensive experience in mental health advocacy, coupled with her proven ability to rally strong, collaborative teams, makes her the ideal leader to advance our mission and broaden our impact across Oklahoma.”
Before being elected as the District 1 Oklahoma County Commissioner, Blumert worked at the Oklahoma City County Health Department directing the Wellness Now Coalition, Open Streets OKC and the OKC Mobile Market. During her tenure at the Health Department, she built and fostered public/private partnerships for coalition projects and public health advancement and coordinated a 200-partner coalition to improve health outcomes in Oklahoma City and County. Previously, she did community development work in Oklahoma, Lincoln and Canadian counties for the Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma and started her career as a behavioral therapist for children on the autism spectrum at Early Foundations School in Oklahoma City.
Board President-Elect Wendy Thompson of Oklahoma City said, “Carrie’s passion for improving the quality of life for those impacted by mental illness and her strategic approach to securing resources align perfectly with the values and goals of Mental Health Association Oklahoma. We are excited to see how her leadership will elevate the visibility of our work and drive significant progress in the communities we serve.”
Blumert currently serves on the boards of ReMerge, OK Humane Society, Teach for America Oklahoma, and Circuit Engineering District 5, where she serves as treasurer. She is also the chair of the 911 Association of Central Oklahoma Governments Board and the co-chair of the National Association of Counties’ Justice and Public Safety Committee.
She has a Master of Public Health from the University of Oklahoma Hudson College of Public Health and a Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Services from Oklahoma State University.
Blumert will assume her responsibilities as Chief Executive Officer of Mental Health Association Oklahoma October 1. She will be relocating to Tulsa at the end of the year.
Established in 1955, Mental Health Association Oklahoma (MHAOK) is a private nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting mental health, preventing mental disorders and achieving victory over mental illness through advocacy, education, service, and housing. It facilitates critical housing and mental health resources to more than 44,000 Oklahomans each year, navigating the rapidly growing need for mental health support and fighting to end homelessness. For more information, visit https://mhaok.org/
Mental Health Association Oklahoma engaged Kittleman & Associates to conduct a search for its Chief Executive Officer. Kittleman & Associates is a national executive search firm that specializes in the recruitment of CEOs for tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, public charities and philanthropic organizations. Kittleman recruits leaders for the entire nonprofit sector including human services, behavioral healthcare, foundations, and advocacy organizations. For more information, visit https://www.kittlemansearch.com.
