Ms. Ware is a seasoned nonprofit executive leader with an integrated professional background in finance, nonprofit management, fundraising, and community planning. Her career has centered on creative solutions that support healthy aging with dignity and choice. Ms. Ware has developed skills in organizational development, strategic planning, workplace culture, fundraising, financial management, strategic partnerships, board governance, and communications.

Serving for six years as Executive Director of Store to Door, a nonprofit organization that supports independent living for seniors and people with disabilities, Ms. Ware strategically grew Store to Door by increasing their service from 6,600 grocery orders and home visits to 11,300 per year. Income and staffing more than doubled and the volunteer corps grew from 250 to 1,600. Under her leadership, Store to Door was recognized with the Governor’s Award for Best Nonprofit Volunteer Program (2014) and Oregon Business Top 100 Nonprofits to Work For (2017 – 2019).

Ms. Ware is also the founder of ElderFriends, a nonprofit, volunteer-based friendly visitation program that helps isolated elders continue to live in the community and avoid premature institutionalization. Ms. Ware created this progressive program and replicated the model in 3 different locations in the US: CDM Services, Vancouver, WA; Family Lifeline, Richmond, VA and; Full Life, Seattle, WA. ElderFriends earned local, state, and national recognition, including: the Commonwealth Council on Aging's Best Practices Award (2007); National Association of Counties & Points of Light Foundation’s Acts of Caring Award (2007); and Senior Services of Washington's Best New Organization Award (2000).

Education:‍

• Master’s of Science in Gerontology from the Medical College of Virginia, VCU, where she was recognized as Gerontology Student of the Year.
• Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from San Francisco State University
• Advanced Certification in Aging from the University of Washington, Institute on Aging.

Ms. Ware’s mission orientation is also evident in the volunteer roles she served in, which include: Board member for Salmon Creek Legacy Hospital Foundation, hospice volunteer for Medi Home Health, president of Chesterfield Council on Aging, and chairperson of Clark County Commission on Aging.