NKF Appoints Darrius Jones to National Board of Directors
(December 4, 2023, New York, NY) — The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is excited to announce the appointment of Darrius M. Jones, Senior Vice President and Chief Digital and Design Officer at United Services Automobile Association (USAA), to NKF’s National Board of Directors. Darrius brings his leadership and advocacy skills and was nominated and approved at NKF’s most recent Board meeting held in October.
Darrius, who attended Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, NJ, brings with him a wealth of experience driving growth in digital development and strategic planning and has a proven track record in creating new value through the smart use of digital tools, platforms, technologies, services, and processes that exemplify innovation and strategy. As a seasoned executive, he has excelled in delivering exceptional experiences and improving efficiency across multiple channels of contact. His focus on customer care challenges, whether in B2B or customer interaction, has distinguished him in the industry.
"We are thrilled to welcome Darrius Jones to our Board of Directors. His exceptional leadership skills, strategic mindset, and dedication to a cause align seamlessly with our company values. We believe his insights will be invaluable as we continue to drive our Foundation forward and utilize technology and innovation to bring solutions that benefit kidney patients," said Tracy McKibben, Chair of NKF’s National Board and a living kidney donor to her mother.
Beyond his professional achievements, Darrius is deeply committed to a cause that hits close to home. Diagnosed with diabetes three years ago, he was shocked to discover that one in three diabetics will experience kidney disease. Recognizing a gap in resources for kidney disease compared to diabetes, Darrius wants to advocate for kidney disease awareness and support.
"In the face of my own health challenges and the prevalence of kidney disease among diabetics, I felt a personal calling to contribute to this cause. My family has experienced the impact of both diabetes and kidney disease, and I am dedicated to making a meaningful difference," said Darrius Jones, Senior Vice President and Chief Digital and Design Officer for USAA. “I’m honored to join NKF’s National Board of Directors and share my expertise with such a distinguished group of executives all committed to improving outcomes and experiences for those living with kidney disease.”
With a proven methodology for strategy creation and a track record of delivering large and complex solutions for Fortune 500 financial services and insurance organizations, Darrius brings a unique blend of executive leadership and advocacy to NKF’s Board of Directors. Prior to joining USAA, Darrius held numerous senior leadership positions: Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer at Plantronics/Polycom, Head of Digital Channels and Experiences at Schwab, and Head of Strategy for Collaboration at Cisco Systems.
Darrius’ extensive international experiences, including long-term assignments in Tokyo, Hong Kong, London, and the Philippines, combined with his frequent global travel and engagements as a presenter, panelist, and moderator at large venues, will further enrich the diversity of thought within NKF’s Board of Directors.
About Kidney Disease
In the United States, more than 37 million adults are estimated to have kidney disease, also known as chronic kidney disease (CKD)—and approximately 90 percent don’t know they have it. About 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. are at risk for kidney disease. Risk factors for kidney disease include: diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and family history. People of Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian American, or Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander descent are at increased risk for developing the disease. Black or African American people are about four times as likely as White people to have kidney failure. Hispanics experience kidney failure at about double the rate of White people.
About National Kidney Foundation The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is the largest, most comprehensive, and longstanding patient-centric organization dedicated to the awareness, prevention, and treatment of kidney disease in the U.S. For more information about NKF, visit www.kidney.org.
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