Executive Director, Rural Health Association of Utah
Kasey Shakespear, MHA, MPH, MA, is a rural health leader, strategist, and advocate dedicated to strengthening healthcare in rural communities. As Executive Director of the Rural Health Association of Utah (RHAU), Kasey leads the organization’s statewide efforts to connect rural healthcare organizations, advance innovative solutions, develop workforce capacity, and ensure rural communities have a meaningful voice in the future of healthcare.
With more than a decade of experience spanning rural health, public health, nonprofit leadership, and healthcare strategy, Kasey has helped position RHAU as a growing and influential resource for rural Utah. Under his leadership, RHAU has expanded its membership, programs, partnerships, grant capacity, and statewide presence while developing new initiatives focused on rural health clinics, workforce, technology, data, access, and organizational sustainability.
Kasey serves as a connector between rural communities, healthcare organizations, state and federal partners, policymakers, and other stakeholders, with a particular focus on turning collaboration into practical solutions. He has been instrumental in helping rural organizations navigate an increasingly complex healthcare environment while creating opportunities for communities and providers to learn from one another and work collectively toward better outcomes.
A lifelong advocate for rural Utah, Kasey grew up in Tropic near Bryce Canyon and brings a personal understanding of the opportunities and challenges that come with living and receiving healthcare in rural communities. That perspective continues to shape his leadership philosophy: rural communities should not simply be included in healthcare transformation—they should help lead it.
Kasey holds a Master of Health Administration and Master of Public Health from the University of Utah and a Master of Arts in English and Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University. He is an active member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and was recognized in 2026 with the Regent of Utah Early Career Healthcare Executive Award for his contributions to healthcare leadership.
At the center of Kasey’s work is a simple belief: rural Utah has the knowledge, talent, and resilience to build its own future—and strong partnerships can help make that future possible.