Leah M. King, CFRE
President, JPS Foundation
Leah M. King serves as President of the JPS Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the JPS Health Network as a regional and national leader in providing transformational healthcare services. As the county’s essential hospital, JPS provides healthcare to all Tarrant County residents, regardless of their ability to pay. In her role, Leah is responsible for leadership and strategic fundraising vision development of the organization as well as fiscal oversight, growing financial support, developing processes and new initiatives, facilitating cross-departmental and community collaboration.
In addition to her leadership position with the JPS Foundation, Leah is also an elected official and serves as president of the board of directors at the Tarrant Regional Water District. She is also a board member at the Fort Worth Club and serves on the President’s Advisory Council for Texas Wesleyan University. Leah currently resides in Fort Worth with her husband, Barry.
Teresa Yeargins
Director of Operations
Teresa Yeargins serves as Director of Development for the JPS Foundation. In her role, Teresa is responsible for leading the Development team which includes annual giving, grants, and in-kind donations. She also spends time managing special projects and operations.
As a life-long Fort Worth resident, Teresa learned from her parents the importance of contributing to your community. She has served on several boards including the Susan G. Komen Foundation and United Community Centers. Teresa and her husband Doug live in Fort Worth and have two children.
Jeff Hazelrigs
Manager of Donor Relations
Jeff Hazelrigs serves as the Manager of Annual Giving at the JPS Foundation. In his role, Jeff is responsible for overseeing the JPS Health Network’s employee giving program and assisting with other internal and external fundraising activities and special projects.
Before joining the JPS Foundation team, Jeff spent nearly ten years in higher education with his fraternity’s national headquarters, working directly with students and facilitating their leadership development. In time, he transitioned to the fraternity’s foundation, where he helped to restructure funding initiatives and donor programming. Through that work, he found a love for fundraising, and more importantly, being able to connect people and their passions to purposeful gift giving.
Jeff lives in Fort Worth, Texas, and is an avid runner and cyclist.
Justin Smith
Grant Coordinator
Justin Smith is the Grant Program Coordinator at the JPS Foundation. Justin joined the JPS Foundation in September 2022, bringing his passion for community health and development to his role.
As Grant Program Coordinator, Justin is responsible for managing the grant process, from identifying patient needs and preparing proposals to proposal submission and ensuring that all guidelines and procedures are met within the grant contract. He manages grant reporting, ensuring transparency and accountability throughout the funding process.
Justin currently resides in Fort Worth with his wife and two daughters, where he continues to be committed to improving the health and well-being of the local community.
Alexandra Bustamante
Donor Relations Coordinator
Alexandra Bustamante serves as the Development Coordinator of the JPS Foundation. As the Development Coordinator, Alex is responsible for handling in-kind donations playing a crucial role in ensuring that non-monetary contributions (goods, services, or volunteer time) are effectively managed and utilized to support the network’s mission. In addition, Alex supports the team by handling logistical components of the JPS Foundation’s fundraising strategies, projects, and events.
Prior to joining the JPS Foundation in October 2022, she worked within the hospital, aiding patients in need and solidifying her passion for supporting healthcare services. Alex currently resides in Fort Worth and continues to commit to improving the health and well-being of our community.
Jazmin
JPS Foundation Virtual Engagement Officer
Our virtual engagement officer, Jazmin, powered by artificial intelligence, is the first of its kind and is being developed to help The JPS Foundation accelerate its efforts to expand access to quality healthcare and support patients, caregivers, and the broader community. By engaging with Jazmin, you’re not only supporting The JPS Foundation’s commitment to advancing healthcare for all but also endorsing an innovation that will empower nonprofits worldwide to achieve their life-changing missions.
Misti Nevels
Foundation Operations Coordinator
Misti Nevels is the current Office and Business Manager for the JPS Foundation, a position she has held for the past two years. With 25 years of experience and education in healthcare administration, Misti’s career includes a decade of service in Seattle, Washington, where she advocated for veterans with the American Legion Department of Washington. In this role, she mentored and guided Veterans and active-duty members through federal and state benefits while managing three offices in the Pierce County District.
After relocating to Fort Worth in 2016, Misti continued her healthcare career at JPS Health Network in the Enrollment and Eligibility Department for six years before transitioning to her current role with the JPS Foundation. Throughout her career, she has gained valuable experience and knowledge working with a diverse population, equipping her with the skills to engage and support individuals from various backgrounds. Her extensive background in both public service and healthcare has provided her with a well-rounded skill set, allowing her to contribute meaningfully to the JPS Foundation’s mission while continuing to advocate for those in need.
Misti resides in Fort Worth, with her youngest son, Jacob who will be graduating in 2026, while her oldest son, Noah, is serving the US Army as a LPN.