Cat Ward is vice president of the Employer Mobilization practice, leading JFF’s efforts to engage the private sector as a strategic force for good.
Cat founded and manages JFF’s Corporate Action Platform and Advisory Services. She leads a team that advises companies on envisioning, developing, and implementing strategies that are good for multiple stakeholders—including workers, businesses, and communities.
Her skills and areas of expertise include:
- Corporate practice change
- Strategic corporate talent management
- Corporate social responsibility
- Program design and development
- Workforce and economic development
- Multi-sector partnership and collaboration
- Facilitation and training
Cat is an experienced leader who has worked across the private, nonprofit, and public sectors. Before joining JFF, she ran Taproot Foundation’s corporate advisory practice, leading a team that worked with prominent companies to create strategies that drive social impact and develop talent.
Earlier in her career, she worked at the New York City Department of Small Business Services, where she led efforts to create jobs and help people advance. She started her career in New York City theater as a director, producer, and educator.
Cat is a frequent speaker on the topics of strategic corporate talent management, effective corporate social impact strategies, and cross-sector partnership.
She says she was drawn to JFF because “there has never been a more important time to focus on economic opportunity and advancement. I’m fortunate to partner with colleagues at JFF who are passionate about those issues. It’s exciting to be part of the changemaking that happens here.”
When she’s not at work, Cat says, “I spend most of my free time chasing after my two young kids. They spur me to do more every day with their endless optimism about the world—and their boundless energy to back it up.”
