United Way of Tarrant County leader named new president of JPS Foundation

Leah M. King, the president and CEO of the United Way of Tarrant County, has been named president of the JPS Foundation, the JPS Health Network announced Tuesday.

King will oversee the foundation’s strategic initiatives and establish partnerships with funders and community organizations, the health network said in a press release. She starts Oct. 28.

The nonprofit JPS Foundation raises money for Tarrant County’s public hospital system. The JPS Health Network cares for the majority of the county’s uninsured residents and its hospital in Fort Worth is Tarrant’s only Level 1 trauma center.

“JPS Health Network and the JPS Foundation are thrilled to introduce someone of Leah’s caliber to lead the Foundation,” Dr. Karen Duncan, JPS president and CEO, said in a statement. “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.”

The foundation spent three months in its search. Larry Anfin, the JPS Foundation board chair, said Leah’s record in fundraising, experience in nonprofits and connections in Tarrant County made her the best fit for the job.

King has spent the past five years leading the United Way of Tarrant County.

“I am thrilled to have been selected to lead the JPS Foundation during this time of unprecedented growth in our community,” King said in the statement. “I have always been deeply passionate about healthcare and its power to transform lives and am honored to have the opportunity to work alongside the dedicated professionals at JPS Health Network. I look forward to supporting the team in its efforts to advance healthcare delivery for this community.”

King is also president of the Tarrant Regional Water District’s Board of Directors. She’s been on the board since 2017.