After nearly three decades of service-focused work in the fields of education, government, education and nursing, Ellen Grant, Ph.D., is returning to healthcare, joining Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in the newly created role of executive director for corporate social responsibility and community education.
A Buffalo native, Grant began her career as a nurse, and most recently worked as deputy mayor of Buffalo. Her previous experience includes leadership roles with Say Yes to Education, where she served as fellow and senior vice for chapter programming; the Erie County Department of Mental Health; and Niagara Falls Medical Center, where she was CEO.
In this new role, Grant will oversee the Roswell Park CARES Program, which provides volunteers, financial support and project management to help area organizations meet community needs. Much of her work will focus on expanding opportunities for minority and women business enterprises (MWBE) and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses (SDVOB). She will also help to build and enhance partnerships with organizations and educators from underrepresented communities toward the goals of promoting sustainability, building health equity, supporting those who are marginalized or economically disadvantaged and encouraging learners from underrepresented groups to engage in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields.
“We are so fortunate to have Dr. Grant leading our work in these critically important areas,” says Candace S. Johnson, Ph.D., president, CEO and M&T Bank Presidential Chair in Leadership at Roswell Park. “Her perspectives on healthcare, education and sustainable growth will be an incredible resource as we work to ensure that every Roswell Park program and initiative purposefully supports diversity, equity and inclusion both within and outside of our center.”
Grant has made history in both her professional and her volunteer work. During her time with the Erie County Department of Health, she became the first African American appointed as the county’s commissioner of mental health and the first African American elected as president of the New York State Association of Counties. Grant has received awards at the local and state level, including the Western New York Women’s Hall of Fame.