Joan Neuhaus

Ms. Neuhaus has over 30 years of experience in business, philanthropy, military service and academia. She began her career in finance and investments, then transitioned to financial due diligence and business litigation with the founding of a private investigations firm. Concurrently she served in the United States Naval Reserve, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Chaired at the Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University as the Fellow for Homeland Security and Terrorism, she also served the city and county as the Executive Director of the Houston-Harris County Homeland Security Advisory Council and Director of the Texas Security Forum.

Immediately before joining Kickstart Kids, Ms. Neuhaus served 6 years as the Executive Director of a Houston-based private foundation. Her philanthropy experience encompasses approximately 15 non-profit boards in positions that have included as President, Treasurer, Secretary, Audit Chair and Mentor, as well as over ten years as an adult leader in scouting.

Ms. Neuhaus earned her B.A. in Political Economy from Williams College and her M.B.A. in Finance and Entrepreneurship from the Jones School of Business at Rice University, where she currently serves on the Board of Advisors. Ms. Neuhaus holds the position of Executive Director at Kickstart Kids.