Dr. Mary Ann Ross

Dr. Mary Ann is a distinguished executive, behavioral health professional, and community leader with more than 25 years of experience spanning nonprofit management, mental and behavioral health, criminal justice and corrections, substance use disorder treatment, education, supportive housing, and organizational leadership.

Throughout her career, she has led complex public- and private-sector organizations, multidisciplinary workforces, and large-scale programs serving statewide and national constituencies, with responsibility for budgets as large as $500 million.

Her leadership has centered on developing whole-person, evidence-based service models, strengthening organizational and fiscal performance, building public-private partnerships, and expanding resources for vulnerable and underserved communities.

Her leadership and service have been recognized through numerous public-sector honors, including a state corrections agency's Commissioner's Coin and recognition by a state personnel board as one of its top professionals in leadership.

Her work in social and criminal justice reform has also earned the Global Social and Community Impact Award from Women in Management®/Top 50 and a Luminary Award from the Global Women's Empowerment Network.

An educator and clinician as well as an executive, Dr. Mary Ann earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology, a Master of Education in Instructional Technology, and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. She is a Certified Clinical Supervisor and holds professional credentials in behavioral health, substance use disorder services, human resource management, and education.

Across each chapter of her career, Dr. Mary Ann has built her leadership around the intersection of service, systems change, and human potential. Whether guiding a multimillion-dollar organization, advancing criminal justice and reentry initiatives, developing behavioral health programs, strengthening nonprofit organizations, or cultivating community partnerships, she remains committed to creating sustainable systems that expand opportunity, restore dignity, and improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities.