What We Do

Don Fourman is the founding visionary behind the Healthcare Career Advancement Foundation. His belief in expanding opportunity within healthcare and supporting future generations of caregivers is the driving force behind the Foundation’s mission.
Born in Knoxville, Tennessee, Don is a veteran of both World War II and the Korean War and a graduate of the University of Tennessee. A lifelong Vols fan, he built a distinguished 30-year career with IBM before turning his focus toward philanthropy and community impact.
Don’s commitment to improving the lives of others is exemplified by his generous donation of a senior apartment building to Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta; an early reflection of his dedication to supporting seniors and strengthening access to care.
The creation of the Healthcare Career Advancement Foundation was inspired by Don’s vision to invest in people by removing barriers to education, creating pathways into healthcare careers, and ultimately improving care in communities that need it most. His legacy is one of service, generosity, and a deep commitment to making a lasting difference.

Rita (Cinque) Kriss serves as a Director of the Healthcare Career Advancement Foundation, where she contributes to advancing initiatives that expand opportunity within the healthcare workforce and address critical gaps in access and support. She works alongside board members, academic partners, and industry leaders to help guide programs that invest in education, mentorship, and long-term career sustainability.
Rita is the Founder and CEO of Tennessee Living LLC, a concierge-style company designed to support older adults and their families through every stage of aging and transition. Her work centers on delivering integrated solutions across housing, healthcare coordination, financial services, and lifestyle support, ensuring individuals can age with independence, dignity, and confidence.
With a background spanning executive leadership, business development, and healthcare services, Rita brings a strategic and relationship-driven approach to building organizations and scaling impact. She is known for developing high-touch service models that bridge operational efficiency with deeply personalized care, particularly for aging and underserved populations.
Her leadership is grounded in the belief that meaningful progress in healthcare requires not only access to education, but also the systems, partnerships, and support structures that enable individuals to succeed over the long term.
Rita holds credentials from New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business, and Harvard University.

Shawn O’Conner serves as Board Chair of the Healthcare Career Advancement Foundation, where he is committed to expanding access to healthcare education and strengthening the workforce pipeline. In this role, he partners with fellow leaders and stakeholders to advance initiatives that remove financial and systemic barriers, helping individuals pursue meaningful careers in healthcare while improving care in underserved communities.

Shawn is also a Managing Director at Healthcare Management Partners and President & CEO of HMP Senior Solutions. He brings more than a decade of healthcare leadership experience, with a focus on building sustainable organizations, developing strong teams, and improving outcomes across the care continuum. Prior to HMP, he served as Senior Vice President of Operations at Signature HealthCARE, LLC, where he oversaw 50 skilled nursing and assisted living communities across the Southeast.

His leadership is grounded in a belief that investing in people through education, mentorship, and opportunity, is essential to the future of healthcare.

Shawn holds an MBA from Bethel University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Cumberland University.

Austin Poff serves as a Director of the Healthcare Career Advancement Foundation, where he supports efforts to expand access to healthcare career pathways. In this role, he works with community partners and industry leaders to reduce barriers to education and employment, helping build a stronger and more resilient healthcare workforce.
Professionally, Austin is a Senior Director at Healthcare Management Partners, where he has served in interim and contract executive roles across hospitals and senior living communities. He advises healthcare providers and other stakeholders through complex financial and operational challenges, often in distressed or high-pressure situations. His work frequently involves non-traditional engagements that require adaptability, sound judgment, and a hands-on approach to problem-solving.
Austin is actively involved in the nonprofit community, currently serving on the Tennessee Board of the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research and the Young Professionals Board of the Nashville Zoo. He previously served on the Board of Children’s Aid Society of Alabama, the Young Professionals Board of Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama, and is a graduate of Young Leaders Council (Nashville Spring 2025).
Austin earned his Master’s in Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Alabama.