Yolanda R. Owens is a talented leader with a track record of developing strategic programs that enhance organizational relationships with key constituents. As the Chief Operations Officer (COO) of the Jackson Redevelopment Authority (JRA), she oversees daily office operations while serving as the primary contact for office management and external consultants. Yolanda plays a critical role in assessing commercial needs, revitalizing Jackson’s commercial corridors, and implementing programs that strengthen the city’s economic base.

In her previous role as a FUSE Executive Fellow, Yolanda supported the board and leadership in enhancing organizational capacity and making significant progress toward economic and environmental resilience in the Farish Street Historic District, a historically Black neighborhood that has faced decades of underinvestment. Her contributions included successfully onboarding a new executive director after a two-year vacancy, expanding the staff from one to nine employees within just 10 months, and obtaining board approval to join Main Street America. These achievements have significantly strengthened the organization’s ability to drive redevelopment efforts.

Yolanda played a key role in managing the process for accessing critical funding, including a $150,000 grant from the Delta Regional Authority and a $2.1 million allocation from the Federal Transit Authority. She provided vital information to support the application for a $1.5 million environmental grant and represents JRA at the City of Jackson partnership table for the Bloomberg Sustainable Cities Initiative, which aims to address urban sustainability challenges. Through this work, she has contributed to creating long-term opportunities for Farish Street’s revitalization, ensuring its economic growth and environmental resilience.

Before joining JRA, Yolanda served as the Executive Director of the Jackson State University (JSU) Development Foundation, where she successfully led the organization to a 25% increase in fundraising in a single fiscal year, managed a $40 million endowment, and facilitated a 65% increase in alumni giving, raising $800,000 in endowments. Her experience in building donor relations, strategic planning, and capacity building continues to benefit JRA’s mission.

Yolanda’s expertise is grounded in her background in civil engineering and contract administration, having worked as a Civil Site Designer at Jacobs and a Contract Administrator at Kinder Morgan. Her technical skills, combined with her experience in fundraising and strategic planning, enable her to lead complex projects and achieve organizational goals.

She holds a Certificate of Fundraising Management from the Lilly School of Philanthropy and Master of Business Administration from Belhaven University. Yolanda also earned a BS in Civil Engineering Technology from Kennesaw State University and a BS in Mathematics from Jackson State University.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Yolanda is an active member of the Madison County (MS) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, a Silver Life member of the NAACP, and a dedicated volunteer with the JSU National Alumni Association. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and contributing to community development efforts.