Natalie Ward

Natalie Ward, MBA, MA, currently serves as the Director of Creatives & Communications for the LifeCourse Nexus at the UMKC Institute for Human Development, overseeing the Creatives & Communications department and the implementation of branding and marketing strategies. Previous roles include Donor Specialist at Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care, where stewardship strategies led to significant fundraising success, and Marketing Specialist for the City of Lawrence, KS, focusing on community outreach and public relations. With a strong foundation in marketing and communications management from diverse organizations, including the Olathe Health Charitable Foundation, Essilor Vision Foundation, and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, Natalie demonstrates expertise in donor engagement, event planning, and strategic brand development. Natalie holds an MBA and MA from SMU and a BFA in History of Art from The University of Kansas, further supplemented by certificates in Corporate Social Responsibility and international business studies.