Welcome CSN's New Executive Director, Patti Bitney Starke!

The Mental Health Consumer/Survivor Network (CSN) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of our new Executive Director, Patti Bitney Starke!

Patti brings a wealth of experience to CSN, with a strong background in Veterans and military family members advocacy, youth advocacy, adult mental health recovery and wellness advocacy, program development, strategic planning, and organizational management. She has served in key positions, including Executive Director, within non-profit, for- profit and governmental agencies. In her most recent position, Patti worked within the MN Army National Guard, Deployment Cycle Support Team. Their mission was to provide resources, advocacy and programs for returning Veterans and their family members prior to, during and after deployments. Patti was instrumental in program development in partnership with MNSCU, the MN Army National Guard, and VA Medical Centers. A significant part of her work involved removing barriers towards assisting military members with obtaining much needed mental health services. In this position she gained an acute awareness of the gaps in the mental health system, not only for Veterans but for all those who face mental health challenges. Patti enthusiastically joins CSN and is excited to bring CSN forward in its mission— to transform, empower and build connections in our communities by promoting recovery and wellness.

The Board is confident that Patti’s leadership, vision, state-wide connections to various agencies, and expertise in a multitude of advocacy venues will be keys to building the CSN team, their development, and the commitment of CSN to lead the way in mental health wellness and recovery. Please join us in welcoming Patti to CSN. She can be reached at patti.bitneystarke@mhcsn.org and 651-236-8471.