Ellen E. Grant
Dr. Ellen E. Grant is a trailblazing leader in public service and healthcare, recognized for breaking barriers as the first woman and person of color in numerous leadership roles across Western New York. Her career spans healthcare administration, mental health, social work, and nonprofit leadership, including positions as Vice President of a major hospital, Erie County Commissioner of Mental Health, and President of the New York State Association of Counties. She also served as Senior Executive Director of Community Collaborations at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, where she fostered partnerships and advanced community-focused initiatives. Through these roles, Ellen has consistently championed inclusion, mentorship, and collaborative leadership.
Beginning her professional journey as a licensed practical nurse in obstetrics and psychiatric care, Ellen transitioned into social work, earning a Master of Social Work and a PhD in organizational behavior and communication from the State University of New at Buffalo. She founded Women Who Lead, a nonprofit mentorship program designed to guide women in advancing their careers, now integrated into the Western New York Women’s Foundation. Her publications, including The Female Worker's Fourteen Commandments for Powering Up Your Career, offer guidance and inspiration for overcoming barriers in professional life.
Currently, Ellen serves as Senior Advisor for Healthcare at O'Donnell & Associates LLC while running First Advance Consulting, a firm she established in 1998 to assist nonprofits and businesses with mental health and community-focused strategies. She remains deeply committed to servant leadership, mentoring, and creating opportunities for the next generation of leaders. Outside of her professional endeavors, Ellen enjoys the arts, theater, and fostering meaningful connections, embodying the values of service, resilience, and empowerment that have guided her remarkable career.
• Licensed Practical Nurse (inactive)
• PhD in Organizational Behavior and Communication
• Master's in Social Work
• Bachelor's in Sociology
• State University of New at Buffalo - MSW
• National Federation for Community and Justice Citation Award
• Buffalo Business First Women of Influence Award
• Western New York Women's Hall of Fame
• Buffalo-Niagara Partnership recognition
• FINA Award finalist
• ProCare College Reflections Award
• New York State Chapter National Association of Social Workers - Social Worker of the Year
• Overnor's Award for Excellence in Health Advocacy
• Designer of a school-level Diversity (DIV-HER) Award
• COMPEER (mental health mentoring organization)
• State University of New York Buffalo Foundation (Emeritus Board Member)
• Buffalo History Museum (Emeritus Board Member)
• Forest Lawn Cemetery Organization Board
• Better Business Bureau Board
• Western New York Women's Foundation Board
• Boston University, Black Women’s Health Study
• State University of New York at Buffalo
• Western New York Women’s Foundation
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being first, which gives you an opportunity to lead and to serve at the same time. Being first allows you to increase your circle to help other men and women through the years. My undergirding values come from servant leadership - I believe I'm here on Earth to serve others while bringing people up behind me who can also be in that kind of role. I had strong role models in my mother and my Aunt Jane who taught me about service and helping others. I also believe in surrounding yourself with people who may be smarter than you - I have what I call a mentor board of people from various backgrounds, colors, and ethnicities who help support me and guide me when I think I'm stuck. You can't do anything alone. You have to have people in your circle who can help you.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say just believe that you are here for a purpose. Try to walk through all the fires you're going to face. As Winston Churchill said, when you're going through hell and you're going through the fire, just keep walking, you'll come out of it. Just remember that you're here for a purpose. And if you have a goal in mind, you may have some setbacks in reaching that goal, but don't stop. Just keep going. And believe that you will get there. Surround yourself with people who love you and who support you. Psychology says you only need one person to believe in you, and sometimes it works, but sometimes you need a whole camp.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
It's such trying times right now. I would say just trying to get everybody to work together, regardless of your affiliation, your political affiliation. If you can agree on the common goal, I'm hoping that we can all try to generate towards that. As the Beatles song says, All We Need Is Love - I play it so often when I'm feeling down. I'm a spiritual person, and I believe that in the end, God knows what's going on and he's going to help us through this, but we also have to learn to help each other and help ourselves.
Locations
O'Donnell & Associates LLC
Grand Island, NY 14072