Robert J. Ross

Ross joined Inasmuch Foundation in 2003 as Vice President and Executive Director of Inasmuch Foundation and the Ethics & Excellence in Journalism Foundation. In 2005, Ross became President and CEO, and in 2014, the corporate entities merged and the Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation became a wholly owned subsidiary of Inasmuch Foundation. In 2019, Ross was elected to Chairman and CEO.^[1][3]

Thanks to Bob’s involvement in the expansion of Educare to Oklahoma City in 2009, he earned a reputation as an education advocate with the moniker “Mr. Education.”^[4] Under Bob’s leadership, Inasmuch Foundation reached a major milestone in 2023 when the distribution of grant funding surpassed $350 million, the amount of founder Edith Kinney Gaylord’s original contribution.^[3][5]

Prior to his time at Inasmuch Foundation, Ross was employed as an attorney with the Oklahoma City law firm McAfee & Taft. He is a graduate of Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School in Oklahoma City and Washington and Lee University in Virginia, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. At W&L, he was a co-chairman of the 1996 Mock Convention, which correctly predicted that Bob Dole would receive the Republican presidential nomination. After attending W&L, he received his J.D. from the University of Oklahoma in 1999.^[4]

In 2000, Ross was an alternate delegate to the Republican National Convention, representing the Oklahoma Republican party on the floor of the national convention.^[4]

Ross has also served in the following volunteer positions:

• Trustee, Will Rogers World Airport Trust, July 2022 - Present^[6]
• Member, University of Oklahoma Board of Regents, May 2022 - Present^[7]
• Board Member, Oklahoma Hall of Fame, January 2020 - Present
• LPAC Board Member, Acorn Growth Companies, January 2018 - Present^[8]
• Board Member, Oklahoma State Fair, May 2015 - Present
• Board Member, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, January 2008 - Present
• Board Member, OKC Museum of Art, January 2007 - Present^[9]
• Board Member, Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, January 2007 - Present^[10]
• Trustee, Colorado College, August 2007 - July 2024^[11]
• Board Member, Oklahoma Public School Resource Center, January 2016 - February 2024
• Board Member, Oklahoma Board of Education, April 2015 - April 2019
• Trustee, University of Oklahoma Foundation, August 2009 - August 2018
• Board Member, Sunbeam Family Services, July 2006 - June 2017
• Board Member, Oklahoma City Educare, July 2006 - June 2017
• Board Member, Teach for America Oklahoma, May 2011 - May 2016
• Board Member, Smart Start Central Oklahoma, January 2006 - June 2014
• Board Member, Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation, January 2004 - January 2009

Ross has received the following honors and awards for his service to Oklahoma City:

• 50 Most Powerful Oklahomans, Issued by OKC Friday, June 2024^[12]
• Champion of Youth: Aubrey K. McClendon Lifetime Achievement Award, Issued by Boys & Girls Club of Oklahoma County, May 2023^[13]
• E.C. Joullian Distinguished Citizen Award, Issued by Boy Scouts of America Last Frontier Council, March 2023^[14]
• Community Engagement & Collaboration Award, Issued by Possibilities Inc, December 2022
• Outstanding Eagle Scout Award, Issued by Boy Scouts of America Last Frontier Council, December 2020^[15]
• Aspire Award, Issued by Sunbeam Family Services, June 2020^[16]
• OKCityan of the Year, Issued by OKC Friday, January 2019^[17]
• Beyond Z Award, Issued by KIPP Public Charter Schools, August 2017^[18]
• Door-Opener Award, Issued by ASTEC Charter Schools, September 2015^[19]
• John Rex Community Builder Award, Issued by United Way of Central Oklahoma, January 2015^[20]
• Visionary Impact Award, Issued by Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, November 2013
• Mayor’s Award for Distinguished Service, Issued by OKC Beautiful, March 2012
• Urban Pioneer Award, Issued by Plaza District Association, June 2011^[21]
• Regents Award, Issued by The University of Oklahoma, May 2009^[22]