Yolanda Higgins

Yolanda Higgins is a native Chicagoan, born and raised on the South Side. She witnessed her fair share of violence and often pondered ways of helping to reduce violence in communities. Yolanda understands that people usually don’t venture outside their own communities to commit crimes. Media may highlight one sector but violence/crime happens in all neighborhoods. 

Yolanda moved to San Diego in 1993.  She spent the last 13 years of her career working for Scripps Health. While working full-time, Yolanda had the privilege of attending the University of San Diego. She graduated with a bachelor’s in Business Administration. 

After 30 years in the healthcare industry, Yolanda retired from financial programming in January of 2017. Yolanda notes that her most successful project was overseeing the Decision Support department where she and her team recouped more than $60 million dollars in underpayments from various payers. She says that proper compensation/reimbursement ensures that underserved individuals can receive quality health care and allows the organization to continue providing specialized services to all. 

In January of 2017, Yolanda attended a MLK breakfast and was mesmerized as she listened to Azim and Ples tell the TKF story. She was led to volunteer and became the Co-chair of IT. Her first task was to help update the website. As a new board member, one of Yolanda’s goals is to help ensure that TKF continues to thrive and grow so that future generations can benefit from restorative and social justice principles/teachings. 

What makes Yolanda smile? Daily Bible reading, volunteering, cooking, traveling, cycling, hiking,  standup paddle boarding, playing her saxophone, board games, and most importantly, celebrating friendships.