Leadership

Heidi Strunk, President & CEO  (Contact Heidi)

Heidi Strunk is the President & CEO of Mental Health America of California (MHAC). Heidi has more than 20 years of leadership experience, including 17 years of volunteer and staff leadership and advocacy within the behavioral health field. Heidi’s emphasis is to empower marginalized, under-represented, under-served and inappropriately served individuals and communities. Since changing careers from the civil litigation field, Heidi has served in a variety of leadership roles with the California Association of Mental Health Peer Run Organizations (CAMHPRO), and with the California Association of Social Rehabilitation Agencies (CASRA).

Heidi currently serves as president of the California Coalition for Mental Health. Additionally, she serves in leadership on her local high school site council and on the board of her community non-profit youth sports club. Heidi uses her personal lived experience to optimistically and passionately lead, advocate and educate to improve the lives of those who struggle with behavioral health challenges and to educate against mental health stigma and discrimination.

Heidi’s life balance includes spending quality time with her family, enjoying a variety of physical activities: cycling, rollerblading, hiking, camping and any other activity that allows her to be outdoors.

Curtis Paullins, Executive Administrator  (Contact Curtis)

Curtis Paullins is the Executive Administrator for Mental Health America of California (MHAC). Originally from Marion, Iowa, Curtis has excelled at various positions throughout his career.  His path has included positions such as VP of Customer Management, Accountant and Systems Administrator.  He has also worked internationally on Grand Cayman Island and on Providenciales (Turks & Caicos). In 1994 Curtis began working for the California Bankers Association, holding several roles including Systems Administrator, Events Manager and Vice President, Customer Management. With 20 years of association management experience he brings a strong skillset to MHAC.

Curtis is committed to cause driven work and volunteerism. He is an avid cyclist, participating in the annual AIDS/LifeCycle (ALC) ride to end AIDS, a 7 day, 545 mile ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles. He has completed the ride 5 times and to date has raised over $25,000 for the cause. He also volunteers as a training ride leader for ALC, helping plan rides and prepare riders to complete the ride. He is very active politically, advocating for progressive causes and participating in legislative engagement. He currently serves as a commissioner on the city of Sacramento Active Transportation Commission. Curtis also previously served 2 years as a board member for his homeowners association.