Rachel Ward

Cradle-to-Career Partnership Leader Fellow

Rachel Ward is a dedicated servant leader and child advocate committed to enhancing the well-being of communities, families, and children. A Spelman College graduate with a Bachelor’s in Economics, she started her career in youth development and non-profit management. Rachel later earned a Master’s in Public Service Management from DePaul University, gaining insights into community development in Curitiba, Brazil, and Belfast, Northern Ireland. Her experience spans various sectors, including work on early childhood education, food equity, and domestic violence. In 2018, Rachel returned home to Dayton, Ohio, where she managed community programs for Montgomery County, focusing on child abuse prevention and services for young children with disabilities. Currently, as Vice President of Omega Community Development Corporation, she leads initiatives including the Hope Center for Families and the Hope Zone Promise Neighborhood. Recognized as a Dayton Business Journal Top Forty Under 40 leader, Rachel enjoys traveling and spending time with family.