Michael P. Storz, MBA
President of Chapel Haven Inc.
Michael Storz is President of Chapel Haven Inc., overseeing programs in New Haven, CT and Tucson, Arizona, which teach people with autism spectrum disorders and those with mild cognitive disabilities the skills to live independently in the community. Each program focuses on employment, college success, recreation and leisure, social communicative competence, self-determination and independent living skills. Chapel Haven is a lifelong program serving more than 250 adults from across the U.S. and several countries.
Michael joined Chapel Haven in 2000 and has an abiding passion for the disabilities field. Through his ability to connect, he has brought the best of the local, state and national communities into partnership with Chapel Haven in a variety of ways. In 2014, Michael was named a “Rising Star” by Business New Haven for his energized leadership. In 2016, Chapel Haven was honored as a Health Care Hero by the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce for spearheading an award-winning partnership with the Cornell Scott Hill Health Center to improve health and fitness for Chapel Haven adults.
Under Michael’s leadership, Chapel Haven has raised $35.5 million and begun implementing a $41,750,000 capital campaign that positions Chapel Haven once again as a pioneer in serving adults with disabilities. Entitled “Chapel Haven: Continuing the Commitment,” Chapel Haven will transform its Westville campus with a complete renovation and add a senior living facility, allowing senior members of the community to continue living among friends and with independence. As per the donor’s request, the senior living facility will be named in honor of Michael and his exemplary leadership in the field.
Michael is active with many boards, both locally and on the national and international stage. He is President of the National Association for Residential Providers of Adults with Autism, is co-chair of the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, and chairs the Bethany Leapley Autism Spectrum Disorder Charity Fund. Mike serves on the board for the Westville Village Renaissance Alliance locally and serves as an advisory board member to the ASD Fitness Gym in Orange. Michael relishes volunteering his time as a “Sensitive Santa” for children with disabilities each holiday season at the gym.
Michael speaks both nationally and internationally on many topics in the disabilities field, including best practices for adult services. Notably in 2014, Michael traveled to Russia, where he visited orphanages, provided lectures for the Russian government, and met with and advised professionals and families in the Voronezh region. Michael consulted with Disney Russia’s top marketing VP on how to make the Russian performance of “Beauty and the Beast” more autism-friendly. Michael enjoyed sharing the Chapel Haven model of adult transition services and Chapel Haven’s business model in a country where the concept of social entrepreneurship is relatively new.
Michael was also chosen as a speaker at the World Autism Conference in England, has toured programs in Ireland was live streamed into a conference in Kuwait. Michael has recently been invited to provide workshops and lectures in Poland in the fall of 2017.
Michael received his BA in Psychology from Providence College and his MBA degree from Southern CT State University. Prior to Chapel Haven, Michael worked with children and adults with autism in both the classroom and home environments. Responsibilities ranged from employment services, in-home family support services to providing consulting and coordination of behavioral therapy program to young adults and children.