Ann Marie Ferguson, MPA

In every woman’s life, there comes a moment when the path forward demands courage, clarity, and an unwavering belief in the value of her skills, and for me, that moment arrived when I chose to step away from nearly two decades in healthcare and embrace my role leading the Monroe Foundation. My 30 years of experience in healthcare shaped my approach to leadership by instilling precision, compassion, and a deep appreciation for systems that work, while my strengths in project management and strategic planning prepared me for the Foundation’s informal yet intentional invitation to lead. Today, I am driven by purpose as I review scholarship applications, assess financial need, and make decisions that meaningfully impact young people’s futures. Under my leadership, we have expanded our donor base from $75,000 to $275,000, demonstrating the power of trust, transparency, and relationship building. Although securing grants remains challenging, it motivates me to grow, and with credentials in business management, a master’s in public administration, Lean Six Sigma certifications, and a grant writing certificate, I am committed to leading with excellence while continually advancing my expertise.

Every professional pivot is an invitation to grow, and I encourage young women entering this industry to never shy away from stepping outside their comfort zones. This work became a second career for me later in life, and embracing a lifelong learner mindset is what allowed me to thrive. I completed a seven week graduate level grant writing program, an experience that led me to win a pitch competition and, more importantly, reaffirmed the importance of taking ownership of your craft. Earning this certification now allows me to be fully hands on in the grant writing process; while our third party writer did a good job, I recognized there were core elements missing. With both the credentials and the institutional knowledge, I can ensure our grants are reviewed with the level of accuracy and depth required for approval. Writing your own grants gives you control, clarity, and the confidence to shape your narrative in real time, and I believe that empowering yourself with these skills is one of the most valuable steps you can take in your career.

One of the biggest challenges in this industry is helping people understand that the need remains urgent, especially in a political climate where grants are harder to secure and often come with increased restrictions. We are fortunate to have loyal donors and strong corporate partners who continue to support our mission, but navigating the grants landscape has become increasingly difficult and remains a significant hurdle. I am optimistic, however, that my new grant writing certification will help lessen this burden by allowing us to strengthen the quality, clarity, and competitiveness of our submissions. Despite the challenges, this work is filled with opportunity, and it takes both strategy and heart to keep communities engaged and committed to our mission year after year.

Patience and organization guide everything I do, but at the heart of both my work and personal life is a deep commitment to service. Service has always been a defining thread for me, which is why I am proud to be a member of the Association of Development Professionals and to contribute to community-focused boards, including the Young, Gifted, and Black Entrepreneur Awards. I have been humbled to receive honors such as the Black Fairy Godmother Humanitarian Award and a volunteer service award from Love Your Breast, Inc., each reminding me that meaningful impact is created one intentional act at a time. Outside of work, I am a woman who finds joy in dancing, creating beautiful meals with my partner, and exploring the world—from Bali and Dubai to Greece, Costa Rica, and Jamaica. After forty-seven years in this country, I have learned that identity is an evolving journey, and intentionally elevating my personal brand within the nonprofit space is the next chapter in that evolution.