Our son and brother, James Ransom, was an average 13-year old boy. But he was also exceptional in every way. He was inquisitive, funny, quirky, brilliant and kind. He had a thirst for knowledge and learning everything he could about every subject. James was well-liked by his friends, adults and animals alike. And James, as the only boy in our family, was very much loved by us. James was doing well in middle school, taking coding classes at Saddleback College, and looking for ways to accelerate his studies. James also loved Pop Warner football and was a starting offensive and defensive lineman for his team.
On September 12, 2015, James was speared in the head by another player during a football game. He knew he was hit hard, but kept playing the game. He also practiced the following week. By the following Wednesday, James started complaining of intense dizziness and nausea. By the following Friday, it had been determined that he had suffered a concussion and the normal concussion protocol was followed. Within three weeks, our family noticed drastic changes in James’s personality and behavior. Our once sweet and quirky boy was now angry and aggressive. We sought every medical and psychological recommendation that was provided. James had a third nerve palsy in his left eye and could not balance properly. He was seen by a pediatrician, concussion specialist, neurologist, psychologists, ophthalmologist, and many other professionals. James now displayed extreme obsessive-compulsive behavior and other mental issues. His once mild quirkiness was out of control. His tolerance and temperament were not at all like the James we knew and loved. School, which had once been his passion, made him agitated and sick. At the end of 2015, James attempted to take his own life.
James was admitted to a neuropsychiatric hospital, where he stayed for an extended period of time until he was stabilized and released. He also received services from other providers and hospitals. Our family and friends rallied together and tried everything to make sure James received the best care available. James was under psychiatric care, taking medication, and working through his feelings. We thought things were better – James reintegrated back to traditional school, had lots of friends, and by all appearances, seemed to have overcome his issues. On November 30, 2016, 4 days after our family returned from a trip to Hawaii for Thanksgiving, for reasons we will never understand, James took his own life. The James Henry Ransom Foundation was established by his family and friends with the hope of bringing about change to how we approach adolescent mental and behavioral health.
Our Mission
To raise awareness and money to support programs, organizations, research, facilities, and families in dealing with issues related to adolescent mental and behavioral health.
Leadership
Board of Directors
Courtney Barnes Ransom
President
Courtney Barnes Ransom is Vice President, Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer for the largest dental benefits administrator in the United States and the largest in the Medicaid space. She has significant experience in quality management, compliance and operations and has worked closely with boards of directors of large corporations. Courtney has 18 years of experience in the health insurance industry, including experience in health care reform lobbying and advocacy. Courtney has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from UC San Diego, and a Juris Doctor degree and Masters Degree in International Business from University of San Diego. She has served on the Board of Directors of the California Association of Dental Plans and National Charity League, Canyon Chapter. Courtney lost her 13-year old son, James Henry Ransom, to suicide in November 2016. Her experience as the mother of a child who had suffered from a traumatic brain injury and subsequent mental and behavioral issues inspired her to form the Foundation to provide education and funding and resources to entities providing education and services related to adolescent mental and behavioral health.
Julie Holley
Secretary
Julie Holley is Senior Litigation Counsel with Lennar Corporation. Lennar Corporation is a publicly traded Fortune 500 real estate development company operating in 18 states. She has 20 years of experience working for large development companies. In her capacity as in-house counsel, she oversees litigation in California, Washington, and Oregon as well as nationwide complex class action claims. Julie also has significant risk management experience, including helping with risk assessment and due diligence in large real property and business transactions. Julie’s relevant experience also includes preparation of materials for Lennar’s board of directors’ quarterly meetings, reviewing proposed partnership formation agreements and winding up dissolved companies. Julie has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from California Lutheran University, and a Juris Doctor degree from Pepperdine University. She has served on the Board of Directors of her children’s elementary school nonprofit foundation as the Vice President of Fundraising. Julie is the mother of 4 children and volunteers in their school, with Girl Scouts, and Destination Imagination.
Rebecca Luna
Treasurer
Rebecca Luna is a tax services partner with BLV Associates, LP. She has more than 22 years’ experience in public accounting at a large local firm and a national firm. Rebecca’s public accounting experience consists of individual and business tax compliance, including foreign-entity reporting requirements, bookkeeping, tax planning, estate tax planning, estate tax compliance reviews and public and private charitable organization planning and reviews. As a partner, Rebecca has the responsibility of acting as the client service coordinator on certain engagements as well as maintaining the responsibilities of a tax services partner. Rebecca is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and California Society of Certified Public Accountants. Rebecca received her Bachelor of Science degree from California State University at Fullerton. Rebecca is the mother of 4 children and has been very active in Girl Scouts, PTA, and other organizations.
Jane Kearl
Board Member
Jane Kearl focuses her multi-state law practice on real estate issues. She represents developers, owners, and contractors in negotiating high value transactions, primarily in the construction law area, including multi-family and mixed-use developments. Ms. Kearl also litigates cases involving lien and bond claim workouts, lease issues, and contract matters. Ms. Kearl is admitted to the practice of law in California, Colorado and Washington, as well as before select United States District Courts. She is a partner at Watt, Tieder, Hoffar & Fitzgerald, L.L.P., a nationwide firm concentrating on construction, surety and real property matters. In addition to her private practice, Ms. Kearl serves as an arbitrator for various public agencies. Ms. Kearl’s leadership roles included serving as a member of the Board of Directors of the Orange County Women Lawyers Association from 2008-2012. Further, she volunteers with the Orange County Constitutional Rights Foundation, Mock Trial Program, and has been honored as its Volunteer of the Year. Ms. Kearl currently serves on the Board of Directors for Mercy House Living Centers, and formerly was President of the Board of Directors for the Orange County Child Abuse Prevention Center and Women Helping Women, both non-profits dedicated to stopping the cycle of abuse. Ms. Kearl graduated from The Ohio State University College of Law, with honors, where she was an extern for the United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio.
Andria Ruth, MD
Board Member
Andria Ruth, MD is the Medical Director of the Santa Barbara Resiliency Project. Dr. Ruth completed her undergraduate degree at Yale University, is a Graduate of Harvard Medical School and completed her Residency at Children’s Hospital, Boston. She is a Practicing Pediatrician, with Credentialed Privileges at Cottage Hospital Santa Barbara and Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital. Dr. Ruth serves as Lead Clinician at the Goleta Neighborhood Clinic where she has seen patients as part of the Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics since 2004. In 2003, Andria began serving as the Vice President of the Executive Committee for the Thrasher Research Fund providing grants for pediatric medical research, finding solutions to children’s health problems, both in prevention and treatment of children’s diseases. Fluent in Spanish, Dr. Ruth has been a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics since 2003.
Stephanie Ramsey
Board Member
Stephanie Ramsey has spent the past thirty-plus years actively involved in the Southern California community. She has served in leadership positions for organizations including the Ladera Ranch Civic Council, multiple Chambers of Commerce, PTA, and educational foundations. Professionally, she is a Consultant with Audienz Marketing and has over three decades of experience in marketing and sales, primarily in the field of technology. Stephanie received a 10-year award for volunteerism within her community and led the Ladera Ranch Civic Council to winning Volunteer Group of the Year. She works with the Ladera Rancho Chamber of Commerce to assist with the weekly Ladera Ranch Farmers Market. Stephanie is the mother of three – one teenager and two young adults.
Youth Advisory Board
Lillie Ransom
Youth Board President
Lillie Ransom is a Senior at San Juan Hills High School. She began the Yellow 4 James Club at her school in honor of her brother to destigmatize mental illness both on and off campus. Her club also works with the James Henry Ransom Foundation in an effort to create a teen center, which is in the works through the South OC allcove Youth Board. Lillie is Senior Class President at SJHHS and a member of National Charity League.
Julia Ransom
Youth Board Advisor
Julia Ransom is a Junior at Stanford University. Her vision for a 5K to honor her brother James was the genesis for the formation of the James Henry Ransom Foundation. She is particularly interested in the link between physical and mental health and is passionate about bringing adolescent mental and behavioral health resources to Orange County that are innovative and effective.
Ethan Hutchinson
Youth Board Member
Ethan Hutchinson is a Senior at San Juan Hills High School. He is part of the club No Place For Hate. With this, Ethan hopes to bring awareness to problems in the community regarding race, gender, and mental health. Outside of school, Ethan spends his time rock climbing, working, spending time with friends, and going to the beach.
Claire Cone
Youth Board Member
Claire Cone is a Junior at the University of Colorado, Boulder. She is majoring in communications and takes interest in social media marketing. Writing is one of the ways she expresses her emotions and believes it is an efficient way to connect with others and practice mental health. She plans to increase community outreach to the foundation by spreading awareness and event information via social media.
Caitlin Golba
Youth Board Member
Caitlin Golba is a Freshman at San Juan Hills High School. She is a part of the SJHHS volleyball team and the Yellow 4 James Club. She aims to raise awareness about young teens’ and preteens’ mental health.
Sarah Thrall
Youth Board Member
Sarah Thrall is a Junior at San Juan Hills High School. She is a part of the San Juan Hills High School Technical Theater Program and loves doing anything creative. She wants to help her community and spread mental health awareness to those who may be struggling. Sarah has volunteered for JHRF for years and is proud to be a part of the youth board.
Our Vision
James wanted to help others and to tell his story of his injury, his struggles with mental health and how he overcame them. He was not able to fulfill that desire, but our family wants to try.