About the Community Foundation of Southern Maryland » Staff & Board Members

Jessica joined the Community Wealth Advisors in 2017, she is a Financial Advisor with Infinex Investments, Inc. She holds licensing for life and health insurance and achieved Series 7 and 66 registrations. Jessica received a bachelor’s degree from Marymount University in Arlington, VA and a master’s degree from the University of Phoenix.

Ellen has over 25 years of progressive professional experience in the field of workforce development and human capital management. Her diverse background includes the acquisition, project management and implementation of various federal, state and local programs that address community economic development needs. Throughout her career she has acquired and managed nearly $100 million dollars in support of various economic and community development initiatives. Funding acquisition from USDOL, USDA, US Dept of Commerce, Veterans Administration, Federal Highway Administration, and numerous state and local agencies, in NY, GA and MD.

Prior to serving in her current role, Ellen served Regional Director of the Small Business Development Center at CSM. Ellen served as Acting Assistant Secretary, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Division of Workforce Development & Adult Learning at the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation from 2011 – 2014; Regional Director of Economic Development at the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland from 2006 – 2011; and Executive Director for Southern Maryland Works from 2000 – 2006. In this role, Ellen led the efforts to establish the region’s first One Stop workforce service delivery system and Workforce Investment Board under the Federal Workforce Investment Act.

Ellen holds a Bachelors of Business Administration from Pace University in New York; Certification from the International Business Innovation Association in Business Incubation Management; and is credentialed as a Global Career Development Facilitator from the Center for Credentialing and Education. She is a 2009 graduate of the inaugural Class of Leadership Southern Maryland, an entrepreneur, and a self-published author.

Affiliations include Executive Board member Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland; Member of the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals and the Maryland Economic Development Association; Past Board Member Maryland Broadband Coordination Board; Past board chair, Bethel House Inc.; Immediate past Board chair, Community Foundation of Southern Maryland; Alumni of the Inaugural class of Leadership Southern Maryland 2009.

Recognitions include recipient of 2017 Excellence Award from the National League for Innovation in Community Colleges; 2018 recipient of CEO award from the Southern Maryland Minority Chamber of Commerce; Calvert County Commissioner’s Business owner appreciation recognition 2008 & 2014; Recipient of 2008 Woman of the Year award from Calvert County Concerned Black Women; Recipient of 2005 Charles County Minority Business of the Year; Nominations for the 2006 Leadership Maryland class and 2006 Maryland’s Top 100 Women.

Dr. Ward has worked for over 30 years in the healthcare industry. She considers herself fortunate to have had the opportunities to serve organizations that aligned well with her personal passions such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Institute of Medicine here in Washington DC. She currently serves as the Director of Operations, Region II, for the University of Maryland Community Medical Group. Dr. Ward served as a governance and finance expert for the Health Resources and Services Agency and traveled extensively as a consultant throughout the US working with Federally Qualified Health Care Centers.

Dr. Ward is certified as an Administrator of Physician Practice Management (CAPPM) from the American College of Physician Practice Managers and operated a private consulting practice located in Charles County. She served 10 years in the United States Army Reserves.

In her spare times she enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren, cooking, decorating, golfing, reading, writing, and sitting by large bodies of water.

Professional Affiliations