iTTU Mentor

Chad Wheeler

Functional Expertise

• Social Innovation

• Nonprofit Leadership

• Fundraising/Development

• Communications

Industry Expertise

• Homelessness

• Organizational Culture

• Community Development

Chad Wheeler is the CEO of Open Door, a nonprofit serving people experiencing poverty, homelessness, and sex trafficking in Lubbock. He is passionate and experienced in developing community-based solutions to these problems. Under Chad’s leadership, Open Door developed Lubbock’s first Permanent Supportive Housing project serving chronically homeless adults with disabilities. Additionally, he has overseen the development of a Transitional Housing-Rapid Rehousing project serving adult survivors of sex trafficking and their children. As of 2022, Open Door provides supportive housing to more than 100 people each night. Chad has served on numerous local and state boards for organizations working to prevent and end homelessness. He is a graduate of Lubbock Christian University and is completing a Masters of Nonprofit Leadership and Management from Arizona State University. He and his wife Jaime have lived in Lubbock since 2005 and have three adopted children.