Dr. Jaynee Poulson, Chief Executive Officer and President of The John Volken Academy, built her leadership on generosity before it was ever built on title. Her journey in recovery education began years ago with Red Barn Farms and Red Barn Academy, where she volunteered her time without expectation of recognition or reward, drawn by a mission to transform lives affected by addiction.

She taught mindfulness classes that helped students develop focus and emotional resilience, wrote new curriculum to strengthen life-skills education and led marketing initiatives to grow enrollment. Her contributions soon expanded into corporate fundraising, where she worked to secure financial support and reinforce the organization’s sustainability. Through that hands-on involvement, Poulson developed a deep understanding of the program’s impact and the challenges students in recovery face, along with the importance of pairing structure with compassion.

Her dedication and results led naturally to her becoming President of Red Barn Farms, where she guided the organization with strategic insight and steadfast commitment to the individuals it served. When the Founder made the difficult decision to close Red Barn Academy, Dr. Poulson orchestrated a seamless transition that preserved the program’s integrity and ensured continuity for students, bringing a Utah location under The John Volken Academy umbrella and strengthening the nonprofit in the process.

That move did more than sustain operations. It allowed the academy to serve more than 60 men in recovery with consistent life skills, educational and vocational training, turning a moment of uncertainty into expanded opportunity. Dr. Poulson excels precisely in such transitions, keeping the people she serves at the center of every decision.

Her leadership reaches well beyond logistics. She inspires teams and communities through her example, balancing empathy with strategic action as she empowers staff, motivates students and engages stakeholders. Whether securing and renovating a new facility or maintaining daily program quality, she approaches each challenge methodically and with resolve.

Honored among the Titan 100, Dr. Poulson stands out as a leader who turns challenge into possibility and does so with unwavering commitment to empowering others. She rebuilds lives through service, strengthens students through accountability and scales impact through passionate leadership, a philosophy evident in every corner of the organization.

The future she imagines for The John Volken Academy is expansive. She sees it becoming a leading model for recovery education, where individuals rebuild their lives through structured programs, life-skills training and holistic support, and where recovery becomes not temporary assistance but lasting opportunity.

She plans, across the next five years, to strengthen the Utah campus while fostering closer integration across all three locations in Washington, Arizona and Utah. She envisions a modernized, professionalized organization with consistent systems, advanced technology and data-driven practices, expanded educational offerings and vocational training aligned with emerging workforce needs.

Building partnerships that extend The John Volken Academy’s influence remains central to that future. From quiet volunteer to visionary leader, Dr. Poulson has shown that lasting change begins with showing up, and she continues to equip students with the confidence and resilience to thrive long after graduation.

Editorial Note: This profile reflects information submitted by the honoree at the time of their Titan 100 recognition in August 2026. Professional roles and affiliations may have changed since publication.