By David Moreno
https://fortworthreport.org/
After nearly five years as president and CEO of United Way of Tarrant County, Leah King will step down to join the JPS Foundation as its new president.
JPS Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds to support several services within JPS Health Network, the taxpayer-supported hospital district in Tarrant County. The foundation reported over $2.3 million in revenue in fiscal year 2022, according to its 990 tax filings.
King told the Fort Worth Report she has decided to transition roles as a way to broaden her mission of improving health care for all.
“The work that we do at United Way often coincides with the work that happens at multiple health care systems, including JPS,” she said. “It opened up the opportunity for me to make a transition that will allow me to continue the work on a greater scale throughout the county.”
King said she is most excited to work towards improving JPS’ financial resources to ensure the hospital district’s future is “as strong as possible.”
King’s appointment concludes a three-month search process completed by the JPS Foundation.
Dr. Karen Duncan, CEO and president of JPS, said she is “thrilled” for King to lead the nonprofit.
“Leah possesses the qualifications and expertise to grow the JPS Foundation to greater serve the patients of JPS, and to create a lasting impact on the JPS Foundation and Tarrant County community for years to come,” Duncan said in a statement.
King began her career with United Way of Tarrant County in April 2016 as its chief operating officer before her promotion to CEO and president.
United Way of Tarrant County is a nonprofit focused on developing initiatives to improve the lives of women, children, older adults and people with disabilities. The nonprofit also focuses on improving social, economic and health access to underserved communities.
Under King’s leadership, the nonprofit has grown its efforts in Tarrant County. In June, United Way joined a coalition of local nonprofits, foundations and affordable housing developers to support Fort Worth’s efforts to increase workforce housing.
In May, the nonprofit secured over $2 million to bring the TeamBirth maternal health initiative to Tarrant County — making it the first region in Texas to implement it.
The TeamBirth initiative is a communicative, collaborative process aimed at closing communication gaps and encouraging teamwork between new mothers and health providers. Seven Tarrant County hospitals committed to participating in the program.
Aside from her work with United Way, King is an elected official, serving as the chair of the Tarrant Regional Water District board of directors since 2017. She also volunteers with the local chapter of Links Inc. and serves on the boards of Cook Children’s Medical Center and Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center.
King said her decision to leave United Way of Tarrant County was difficult, but she is proud of the work that’s been accomplished and will continue to be “one of their biggest fans.”
King will begin her duties with JPS Foundation Oct. 28.
David Moreno is the health reporter for the Fort Worth Report. His position is supported by a grant from Texas Health Resources. Contact him at david.moreno@fortworthreport.org or @davidmreports.
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