New CEO Exemplifies a Life of Service          

Dr. Mike Haarer | Executive Director | Compass Rose Academy | Learn More                   

The students in a media class at Compass Rose Academy produce a newspaper called "The Topic." Student reporters take their job very seriously as they professionally reach out to team members or others to set up interviews. A recent article of the newspaper written by high school junior Kaydence introduces the new President & CEO of Compass Rose Academy and its parent organization Josiah White's:

If you needed one word to sum up the life and career of Josiah White's new CEO, Matthew Purkey, it would be service. From serving in the Marine Corps, to his current position here in Wabash, Mr. Purkey has always been dedicated to putting others above himself.

As Purkey explains, it all comes down to need. "What are the community's most pressing needs and what can we do about it?"

Purkey's working career has fulfilled a variety of others' needs. After developing an interest in nonprofits during his term in the Marines, he was a nonprofit leader for 12 years in several organizations (including the United Way) in Ohio, Georgia, and Indiana. His path took him through a wide variety of challenges and accomplishments, including his work in Allen County through Covid-19, where an emergency relief fund brought millions of dollars to a community that otherwise would not have had it. 

Though his work was rewarding, Purkey determined that his travel was not ideal for his family. He turned to his church leader for advice on a permanent place to settle down with his family in Indiana. That's when he first was introduced to Josiah Whites and Compass Rose Academy residential treatment center.

“My past is very similar to many of the boys that come through here," Purkey said of his new and latest service position." The fact that I was one of those kids, in and out of trouble, really gives me an understanding of what boys and girls at Compass Rose and Josiah White's are going through."

When it comes to addressing the needs of this population, Purkey's message is simple: “If we have a brand, and I had to summarize it, it would be HOPE.”