For Jayson Yardley (’98, MBA), Cal Poly Pomona is more than a university, it’s part of his family’s story.
“My parents actually met here,” Yardley said. “Both went on to earn their undergraduate and graduate degrees from the university. One of my earliest childhood photos is from their MBA graduation ceremony. I’m just a toddler in the picture, being held by two proud Broncos in their caps and gowns.”
Speaking at the 2025 Singelyn Graduate School of Business Graduation Celebration would serve as a sort of return to where it started for the proud alum. “It was one of the most profound moments of my life,” explains Yardley. “I stood at the Kellogg House, where I’d visited as a child, now addressing new graduates as my fiancée and mother looked on. It was the child at my parents’ graduation coming full circle.”
His father, Richard Yardley (’71, business administration, ’74, MBA), later became a Distinguished Alumni and stayed deeply connected to Cal Poly Pomona throughout his career.
“As my father grew ill later in life, remaining engaged with the university became my way of staying close to him and honoring the values he instilled,” Yardley said. “Every time I walk through the College of Business Administration (CBA) building, I stop by his photo and say hello. It’s a quiet reminder of where our family’s journey began and of the legacy I’m proud to continue.”
(Saurabh, can you please add the photo of him as a child held by his parents here and delete this text, the caption text for underneath the photo is below)
[A very young Jayson Yardley gaining Cal Poly Pomona experience and tradition from his parents at an early age.]
Discovering Purpose Through the MBA Experience
Yardley began in political science, but his MBA revealed his true calling.
“Suddenly, everything I’d been curious about, strategy, leadership, organizational dynamics, all clicked into place,” he said. “The MBA didn’t feel like school; it felt like the right next step.”
The experience gave him both business acumen and confidence, launching a decade-long consulting career that shaped his leadership style. The MBA curriculum at the CBA inspired Yardley to excel in his studies and provided a path forward. “This was an experience that ultimately shaped the leader I am today,” said Yardley.
Giving Back to the University That Gave So Much
More than 25 years after earning his degree, Yardley remains an active and passionate alumnus. He currently serves as chair of the CBA Dean’s Advisory Council, director on the CPP Alumni Association’s College of Business Administration Alumni Chapter, and a mentor in the Bronco Mentorship Excellence Program. He also sits on the board of the CPP Philanthropic Foundation.
“After 30 years in business, I’ve learned lessons that go beyond textbooks, especially within leadership, communication, perseverance,” he said. “Sharing those helps students build confidence.”
A Calling to Transform Healthcare
Yardley’s 30-year career in healthcare began unexpectedly. “My path into healthcare wasn’t planned,” he said. “It began out of necessity.”
After a knee injury ended his brief college basketball career, a family friend offered him a job as a registration clerk at a local hospital. That experience shaped his understanding of the compassion and resilience of frontline healthcare workers. The turning point came years later during his father’s battle with cancer.
“I remember sitting at my dining room table surrounded by insurance denials and complex billing notices,” he said. “Despite decades in the healthcare revenue cycle, I struggled to make sense of it all. I remember thinking, if I find this confusing after 20 years in the industry, how must patients feel who don’t know where to start? That realization changed everything for me. From that point forward, my calling became not just to serve healthcare organizations, but to help transform the system itself — to make it more transparent, compassionate, and centered around the people it’s meant to serve.”
Leading With Purpose and Innovation
That mission inspired Yardley’s 2019 book, “Rev Up!: Bold and Disruptive Strategies to Rev Up! Your Revenue Cycle Hero’s Journey.”
“I wrote ‘Rev Up!’ to shine a light on the often-unsung heroes of healthcare: the revenue cycle professionals who quietly make a tremendous impact on both patients and organizations every day,” he said. “I wanted to celebrate the human side of what they do and the difference they make in people’s lives.”
During his service as the CEO of Knowtion Health, Yardley applied those same principles. “At Knowtion, my goals were clear: to embrace and expand the strong culture the founders had built, scale the business, and launch new lines of business both organically and through acquisitions,” he said. “My MBA from Cal Poly Pomona provided the foundation for that success.”
Today, Yardley serves as President and COO of Patient Funding Alternatives, helping working families access employer-sponsored health insurance. “This work not only improves the financial and emotional well-being of patients but also strengthens the financial sustainability of hospitals and health systems,” he said.
Lessons for the Next Generation of Broncos
His work with families in need has provided Yardley with the wisdom to know what is important in business, simple but powerful advice he shares with Cal Poly Pomona students.
“All business is built on people and relationships,” he said. “No matter how advanced the technology or complex the strategy, success ultimately comes down to trust.”
He credits Cal Poly Pomona’s hands-on ethos for shaping his leadership style.
“When you’ve walked in the shoes of those you lead, you manage with greater respect and authenticity,” Yardley said. “There’s no substitute for hard work and experience.”
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