Rhodes College alumna and trustee Sally Jones Heinz ’81 has been inducted into the Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association’s (TICUA) Hall of Fame for 2026. Heinz recently retired as president and CEO of the Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association (MIFA), where she led the organization in its mission to support the independence of vulnerable seniors and families in crisis.
Under her leadership, MIFA’s high-impact programs—including Meals on Wheels and rent and mortgage assistance—served more than 30,000 people annually across Memphis and Shelby County.
The TICUA Hall of Fame highlights the contributions of alumni from Tennessee’s 34 private, non-profit colleges and universities. “At its best, higher education is about transformation, purpose, and cultivating a life of meaningful impact,” said TICUA President Dr. Cameron Conn. “This year’s honorees reflect the character, purpose, and leadership that Tennessee’s private, non-profit colleges and universities strive to cultivate in every student.”
A Memphis native, Heinz attended Snowden School and Central High School before earning a bachelor’s degree in American studies from Rhodes College in 1981. Her father, Dr. Jameson Jones ’36, served as dean of Rhodes College and president of Memphis College of Art.
Heinz later received a master’s degree in American studies from the University of Texas at Austin. She returned to Memphis in 1983 and took on leadership roles in various organizations that have helped shape Memphis’ civic and cultural life, including Memphis Heritage, the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, and Rhodes College. Heinz has maintained a strong connection to Rhodes as a volunteer, donor, and trustee. In recognition of her service and achievements in the community, the college awarded her the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award in 2014.
During her nearly two decades at MIFA, Heinz guided the organization through both challenging and prosperous times. She helped lead an endowment campaign that enhanced MIFA’s long-term sustainability and oversaw expanded services during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring that more meals were delivered and more families remained housed during a time of unprecedented need. Throughout her tenure, she championed innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement to better serve the community.
Heinz credits the organization’s staff, volunteers, donors, and partners as essential to its impact and success.