About Chad Faaborg

Chad grew up with an eye for design and a mind for problem-solving. He began his professional life in San Francisco as a kitchen designer and project manager for high-end architectural firms, managing million-dollar installations and coordinating with architects, contractors, and customs agents across three countries. From there, he sharpened his skills in Vancouver, B.C., and later in Tacoma, WA, where he served as a Project Engineer for a commercial casework manufacturer, turning blueprints into built environments.

Then came the pivot most people don’t make: Chad went back to school in his 30s to pursue a Doctorate of Chiropractic at the University of Western States in Portland, Oregon. After graduating in 2012, he built his clinical career in Bellingham, WA — where he also served as Team Doc for a semi-pro football team and a roller derby league — before relocating to Eugene, OR, where he deepened his focus on spinal rehabilitation and patient wellness.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Chad moved back to rural Iowa to be closer to family. He opened a new satellite chiropractic office in Anita, Iowa, growing a patient base from scratch in a small-town community before navigating unexpected personal challenges. Through it all, he continued working — as a farmhand during planting and harvest seasons, as a seasonal UPS driver, and as a full-time caregiver for his elderly mother.

Chad’s story isn’t about one career. It’s about the willingness to start over, adapt, and keep showing up. That’s the spirit this scholarship is built on.