With nearly three decades as the founder & CEO of LionShare Marketing, Inc., Laura Lee Jones has consistently pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in our industry. This year, her tireless efforts and creative spirit have been recognized with the John A. Eudes Vision & Excellence Award. 

The award was created in honor of Greystone.Net co-founder John A. Eudes to recognize individuals who embody John’s ideals for excellence by believing in and acting upon the idea that excellence can only be obtained if one:

• Cares more than others think is wise
• Risks more than others think is safe
• Dreams more than others think is practical
• Expects more than others think is possible
  

She said when she found out she won, she was speechless.

This moment of speechlessness is a rarity for Jones, whose career has been defined by clear communication, strategic thinking and an unwavering commitment to her clients and team. The award is not just a win for Jones, but a recognition of her company.

“I’m grateful that our industry sees me, my company and the people who work with me,” Jones says.

Jones’ journey to being a leader in the healthcare industry wasn’t straightforward. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she pursued a career in social work and psychology. However, she quickly realized it wasn't the right fit. While living in Boston, she worked at a nonprofit organization where she assisted developmentally disabled adults, and then she trained dogs with the police Canine Academy.

In 1995, Jones founded LionShare, a decision made because of an unexpected job loss at a Kansas City healthcare marketing agency. This entrepreneurial spirit has been the hallmark of Jones’ career. Under her leadership, LionShare has evolved from a traditional marketing firm to a healthcare CRM (Customer Relationship Management) platform. Over those years, the company has served hundreds of healthcare systems across the country.

Reflecting on her career, here’s some advice she shares with up-and-coming healthcare leaders:

• Focus on the basics: “There's a lot of talk on what's new, what's bright, what's shiny,” Jones says. “And what may get left behind is the foundational discipline of marketing. For instance, is your campaign targeting the right households, with the right messages, at the right time? And are you continuing to nurture those individuals?”
• Know what the C-suite wants: Make sure your marketing team understands and aligns with the broader objectives of the healthcare organization. “Don’t be afraid to talk to the CFO to be certain you align on what metrics matter to the organization. You want to be strategically valuable to the organization.”
• There’s always a budget: Don’t let that “no budget” talk fool you. You always have the opportunity to run a smaller pilot program to make the case for a larger investment in the future, she says.
• Embrace tenacity. “When people told us no, we didn’t go away,” Jones says. “We kept knocking.” This motto applies to her personal life, too. In 2019, at the age of 58, she entered an amateur kickboxing match and won by knockout in Round 3. She did this in a cage, by the way.