Jerry Jones, a proud alumnus and class president of F.L. Schlagle High School’s Class of 1988, is a distinguished leader whose career embodies the values of leadership, service, and equity. For over eighteen years, Jerry has been a passionate advocate for health equity, dedicating his professional journey to dismantling systemic barriers and improving health outcomes for historically marginalized communities.
Jerry’s impact began at the grassroots level as a community organizer with Communities Creating Opportunity (CCO), where he built essential bridges between health systems, public health departments, and faith-based organizations. His leadership flourished as Executive Director of the Community Health Council of Wyandotte County, where he championed community-driven solutions and forged sustainable partnerships to address health disparities.
At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, Jerry established the Community Health team, further embedding equity into the region’s healthcare landscape. Nationally, as Vice President of Innovative Initiatives and Partnerships at Feeding America, he spearheaded efforts to transform the charitable food experience through digital innovation and cross-sector collaboration, supporting nearly 200 food banks nationwide.
Currently, Jerry serves as Managing Director of Transforming Health and Healthcare Systems at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. In this prestigious role, he leads strategic initiatives to reimagine healthcare systems through the lens of racial equity, community empowerment, and systemic transformation, working to ensure that all people—especially those most impacted by racism and inequity—can thrive.
Jerry Jones stands as a beacon of hope and a catalyst for change. His unwavering commitment to justice, community, and innovation makes him a truly distinguished representative of KCKPS and an inspiration to future generations.
Your support of the Reasons to Believe campaign helps us celebrate and uplift the outstanding individuals in our community while also providing vital scholarships and resources that empower students to achieve their dreams.
