Barbara Ward Named President and CEO of YWCA Dayton
Accomplished philanthropy leader and current Chief Development Officer will lead the organization beginning August 1
DAYTON (July 14, 2026) -- YWCA Dayton today announced that Barbara Ward will become its next President and CEO, effective August 3, 2026. Ward, who currently serves as the organization's Chief Development Officer, succeeds Teresa Sanders, who is retiring after leading YWCA Dayton to a position of renewed strength and stability. Ward's appointment continues a season of momentum for one of the Miami Valley's most enduring institutions, founded in 1870, in service to women, children, and families.
Ward brings more than a decade of philanthropic leadership to the role, along with a career built on cultivating transformational giving and lasting community partnerships. As Chief Development Officer, she has guided YWCA Dayton's fundraising strategy across major gifts, foundation grants, annual giving, and signature events.
Ward's connection to YWCA Dayton spans multiple chapters of service. She previously served the organization as Director of Development and Communications, where she advanced advocacy initiatives and built a comprehensive fundraising strategy in support of racial equity, women's rights, and economic opportunity. She returned to YWCA Dayton as Chief Development Officer in December 2025, stepping into a central leadership role during a pivotal moment for the organization.
YWCA Dayton operates Montgomery County's only emergency shelter for individuals fleeing domestic violence and other forms of gender-based violence, offering 20 private rooms for individuals and families. In 2025, the shelter served 186 individuals, provided 13,330 total bed nights of safety, and prepared 730 hot meals, while the organization's Rapid Rehousing program helped 97 individuals move toward stable, permanent housing.
"Leading YWCA Dayton is a profound honor and a homecoming," said Ward. "This organization centers survivors, elevates women, and confronts inequity with courage. I have seen firsthand the strength of our staff, the generosity of our community, and the resilience of the families we serve. Together, we will build on that momentum and ensure that safety, opportunity, and dignity remain within reach for every woman and child who turns to us."
"Barbara is exactly the leader YWCA Dayton needs for this moment," said Rachel Jessup, Board Chair of YWCA Dayton. "She combines deep philanthropic expertise with an unwavering commitment to our mission and a genuine love for this community. Barbara has already helped strengthen our foundation, and the Board is confident she will lead YWCA Dayton to even greater impact in the years ahead. We are thrilled to welcome her into this role."
Ward is a graduate of Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. She was named a 40 Under 40 honoree in 2024 and is a member of the 2025 Class of Leadership Dayton.
Beyond her professional career, she serves as First Lady of Omega Baptist Church, where she is active in the church's outreach and community initiatives. She also serves in board leadership roles with Human Race Theater Board, African American Community Fund at the Dayton Foundation, Dayton Art Institute Associate Board, and Foundations Chair of Dayton Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.
