Michael Chandler’s journey is defined by resilience, purpose, and a deep commitment to family and meaningful impact. Since launching his career in 1998, Michael has accumulated extensive experience as a corporate executive, management consultant, entrepreneur, and cause-driven leader, with a mission to inspire others through both his work and his story. His career spans industries such as retail, healthcare, financial services, biotechnology, agriculture, and insurance, where he has collaborated with some of the world’s most recognized brands—including Harley-Davidson, Red Bull, The Home Depot, and MD Anderson Cancer Center. His work in healthcare includes leading transformative initiatives with major payors and helping shape Spira Care, an innovative healthcare provider and payer model serving the Kansas City market.
Known for his empathetic, purpose-driven approach to leadership, Michael has guided multi-billion-dollar corporations in creating customer-centered transformations that serve both clients and communities. His strategic leadership has driven significant shifts, such as leading an operating model transformation for a $50 billion global agribusiness, amplifying value and impact at scale.
Michael’s personal journey has profoundly shaped his outlook. Married since 2000 and raising three sons, he draws daily inspiration from his family, who remind him that true success is grounded in the relationships we nurture and the positive impact we create. A transformative moment in Michael’s journey was the loss of his father, his mentor and role model, which presented the dual challenge of navigating profound grief while balancing complex professional responsibilities. This, along with enduring legal battles and confronting corporate misconduct, led him to reassess his values and prioritize mental health, social impact, and advocacy.
Michael’s openness about his own healing journey, including therapies like EMDR and emerging approaches, highlights his dedication to mental health advocacy and social change. Through Survival in the Trenches (SITT) and his motivational speaking, Michael shares the hard-won wisdom gained from overcoming personal and professional adversity, inspiring others to transform pain into purpose. He draws on his experiences to help others redefine success, cultivate resilience, and lead lives driven by empathy, connection, and impactful change.
