4-1-2025 – High School Rotarian Day
Accessible Health Care Panel
Jeanean Yanish Jones, PhD-candidate, MA, CFRE
Jeanean Yanish Jones is a nonprofit executive, board member, and community leader dedicated to improving healthcare access for Oklahoma’s most vulnerable populations. As the Executive Director of the Health Alliance for the Uninsured (HAU), she spearheads initiatives that provide life-saving medical and healthcare services to uninsured and underinsured individuals. Under her leadership, HAU collaborates with 80+ free and charitable clinics statewide, managing programs that coordinate specialty care, prescription assistance, and healthcare navigation—all at no cost to patients.
With over 25 years of nonprofit leadership, Jeanean oversees a $3+ million annual budget, securing $9+ million annually in philanthropic revenue and in-kind contributions, including $3.5 million in medication assistance. She successfully secured a $1.8 million transformational gift to elevate care for Oklahoma’s uninsured and launched a $15 million endowment campaign to ensure long-term sustainability.
A Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) since 2010, Jeanean has a proven track record in fundraising and campaign leadership. She previously led a $15 million capital campaign for The Salvation Army’s Center of Hope and was the founding executive director of the Green Shoe Foundation, a $4 million trauma-informed care organization.
Beyond her work in healthcare, Jeanean serves as the 2023-24 District Governor for Rotary International District 5750, leading 33 clubs and 1,700 members in community impact initiatives worldwide. She also contributes her expertise to MetroTech School Board, MyHealth, and the Oklahoma Charitable Clinic Association, where she chairs efforts to support over 90 free clinics statewide.
A PhD-candidate in Healthy Leadership, Jeanean is the creator of the Live Love Laugh Leadership Curriculum and Podcast, promoting a holistic approach to leadership. Her work has been recognized through multiple awards, including the Journal Record’s Healthcare Hero Award, Women Making a Difference Award, and Top CEO Award, as well as OKC Friday’s Powerful Women recognition.
In her personal life, Jeanean enjoys spending time with her husband Jere Jones, Sani Sheen Rug Spa owner and fellow Rotarian, along with her two stepchildren and three fur babies.
Senator Carri Hicks is a mother, an educator, and a lifelong Oklahoman. The daughter of a public school teacher, Hicks graduated from Oklahoma City University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in mass communications and political science. Hicks furthered her education at OCU by earning a master’s degree with a focus on leadership management. She went on to work for United Way of Central Oklahoma and Saint Luke’s United Methodist Church. Hicks developed skills in fundraising, advertising, and publishing throughout her career in the nonprofit sector.
A life-long learner with a passion for education, Hicks decided to seek a career change. She earned her masters in early childhood education and applied for a teaching certificate. Hicks began working as a public school teacher in the Putnam City School District in 2011. After three years teaching Kindergarten at Tulakes Elementary, Hicks moved to the Deer Creek School District, where she taught First Grade for two years and Fourth Grade Math and Science for two years at Grove Valley Elementary.
Hicks has served as an adjunct professor at OCU teaching in the College of Education. In the summer of 2019, she was named a Gaylord-McCasland Education Fellow by the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, and worked to reshape the museum experience for young learners.
Today, Hicks lives in Northwest Oklahoma City with her husband Spencer. Married in 2011, they are the proud parents of three children: Camilla, Holli, and Sawyer.
Chair of the Day – High School Rotarian
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