By Southwester Staff
The Thelma D. Jones Breast Cancer Fund (TDJBCF), a nationally-recognized breast cancer organization recently announced the appointment of Philanthropist Jan Adams, President and CEO, JMA Solutions, an award-winning minority owned management consulting firm, as an Honorary Board Member of the TDJBCF. Adams’ appointment was effective as of June.
A long-time SW resident and 24-year US Air Force veteran, Adams has been a staunch supporter of the Fund for several years, and joins Philanthropist Reginald “Reggie” Van Lee, Chief Transformation Officer of The Carlyle Group (NY), in this capacity. As an Honorary Board Member, Adams will continue to share her vast network and resources, as well as ongoing in-kind support with the organization to help further ensure its viability, growth, and sustainability.
Critical to the organization’s mission and success, Adams will continue helping to develop and cultivate new strategic alliances and partnerships with individuals and companies that share the Fund’s commitment to reducing the incidence and mortality rates of breast cancer, particularly with minority populations.
“Having just celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the TDJBCF in April 2020 with Jan being our corporate sponsor, I am thrilled to welcome her to our organization,” commented Van Lee. “Jan’s philosophical and philanthropic beliefs and values, as well as her experience as a caretaker and breast cancer advocate, fully align with both mine and the organization. The TDJBCF has had the pleasure of working with Jan for several years and we are confident
that her brand of win-win strategic partnerships, and commitment to philanthropy and breast health, will add to the organization’s growth and sustainability.”
Of her new honorary appointment, Adams said:
I’m enthusiastic about the opportunity to join this thriving nonprofit to build new relationships and innovative partners to support the TDJBCF’s growth and success.TDJBCF Founder Thelma D. Jones and I have worked closely together for several years on various volunteer and professional efforts, and have great admiration and utmost respect for her [c]ommitment and dedication to the organization’s mission and vision. [T]he core values of the organization significantly align with my philosophical and philanthropic beliefs and values.
Prior to joining the Breast Cancer Fund, Adams’ philanthropic efforts have included board membership at Arena Stage, former Washington Team’s Cornerback Josh Norman’s Starz24 charity organization, the Mamie Mallory Education and Scholarship Foundation, and the African American Civil War Memorial Foundation. Adams is a member of the Air Traffic Control Association, D.C. Chamber of Commerce, and a corporate partner of the D.C. Adopt-a-School program.
In February, Adams was reappointed by the Mayor of D.C. to serve as a trustee on the District of Columbia’s Retirement Board.
Under Adams’ leadership, JMA Solutions has won numerous awards, including INC. 5000’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America, the D.C. Chamber of Commerce’s Community Impact Award, The Washington Post’s Top Workplaces for the D.C. area, and the Disabled American Veterans’ Small Employer of the Year Award. Adams was also profiled in O, The Oprah Magazine (2018), Entrepreneur Magazine (2018), Forbes Magazine (2016), and is also an original corporate contributor to the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
About TDJBCF
Originally founded in 2010 as a breast cancer support group, more than 1200 participants have attended its monthly support group meetings. The support group evolved into the Thelma D. Jones Breast Cancer Fund in September 2012 on the 60th Birthday of Founder and Breast Cancer Thriver Thelma D. Jones. A 501(c)3 organization, its mission is to advocate for and improve the overall health and wellness for women and men through outreach, education, and support. “We promote early detection strategies for breast health and access to the best biomedical and evidence-based complementary therapies to reduce the incidences and mortality rates of breast cancer. Our vision is to save lives and achieve a world free of breast cancer.”
For more information on the TDJBCF, visit www.tdjbreastcancerfund.org or call (202) 251-1639.