Mackenzie Drazan is a name that resonates across seemingly disparate worlds. She is at once a high-fashion model, a competitive equestrian, a dedicated entrepreneur, and a passionate mental health advocate.
Her journey is one of extraordinary highs and profound lows, marked by a personal tragedy that reshaped her purpose and ignited a mission to change the landscape of mental healthcare for the better.
An Unconventional Path: From Runways to Riding Arenas
A Dual Passion
Long before she graced the covers of international magazines, Mackenzie Drazan’s first love was horses. A California native and the daughter of an equestrian, she was on a pony by her first birthday and competing in show jumping by the age of five.
Her path took an unexpected turn at twelve when she was scouted by a modeling agency. By fifteen, she was walking for Valentino in Paris, launching an international career that would see her work with some of the biggest names in fashion.
Juggling Demands
For years, Mackenzie lived a life of remarkable duality. She balanced a demanding, full-time modeling career with a rigorous online high school program through Stanford University and her continued commitment to competitive show jumping.
This grueling schedule required immense discipline, with Mackenzie often studying for AP calculus exams backstage at fashion shows. Her success in both arenas proved her resilience and her unique ability to thrive under pressure.
A Life-Altering Tragedy
A Sister’s Struggle
Mackenzie’s world was irrevocably changed just before she turned eighteen. Her older sister, Shelby, was battling severe depression, anxiety, and an eating disorder. Mackenzie put her modeling career on hold to be by her side.
This period revealed the painful realities of navigating the mental health system. The family’s journey was a frustrating cycle of hope and despair as they struggled to find the right care for Shelby.
Navigating a Broken System
Despite having access to excellent healthcare resources, including a medical family background and proximity to Stanford University, the Drazans found the system to be fragmented and bewildering.
Providers were often unequipped to handle the complexity of Shelby’s co-occurring conditions. After a heartbreaking search for effective treatment, Shelby passed away, leaving her family with a profound sense of loss and a burning question: why was it so hard to find the right help?
From Grief to Action: The Birth of MiResource
A Mission is Born
Fueled by her family’s tragic experience, Mackenzie became obsessed with understanding and solving the systemic failures she had witnessed. She dedicated herself to ensuring other families would not have to endure the same painful journey.
She realized the core issue was an infrastructure problem. There was no efficient way for medical professionals or individuals to find mental health providers with the right specializations, insurance acceptance, and availability.
Building a Solution
During her junior year at Duke University, Mackenzie co-founded MiResource, a for-profit software company with a social mission. The platform acts as a bridge, connecting individuals to the right mental health care for their specific needs.
MiResource provides a sophisticated, searchable database that helps hospitals, universities, and insurance systems make accurate and effective referrals, while remaining a free resource for the public. It was the solution she wished her family had had.
A New Chapter: Impact and Recognition
A Leader in Healthcare
Mackenzie’s innovative approach to a critical problem has not gone unnoticed. Her work has been recognized by the National Institute of Mental Health, and in 2022, she was named to the prestigious Forbes “30 Under 30 in Healthcare” list.
MiResource has helped hundreds of thousands of people connect with care, providing a vital lifeline for those in crisis and transforming the way mental health support is accessed across the country.
A Continuing Legacy
Today, Mackenzie Drazan continues to lead MiResource while maintaining her lifelong passion for the equestrian world. Now married to fellow renowned show jumper Karl Cook, she still finds time to ride almost every morning.
She balances the demands of being a CEO with her personal life, embodying the same grit and determination that defined her early career. Her journey is a testament to her strength and her unwavering commitment to her cause.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Hope
Mackenzie Drazan’s story is a powerful example of turning personal pain into a force for positive change. She has channeled her grief into a groundbreaking solution that offers hope to countless individuals and families.
From the glamour of the runway to the quiet dedication of an entrepreneur, she has forged a unique path, leaving an indelible mark not just as a model or an equestrian, but as a true pioneer in mental health advocacy.
