Nicole Ward: Being the Change She Wishes to See

Native Clevelander Nicole Ward has dedicated her life to serving the community. The philanthropist and businesswoman began her career at the Cleveland Clinic in human resources and marketing. After an early retirement in 2019, she co-founded the Make Them Know Your Name (MTKYN) Foundation in honor of her late husband, Paul Ward, Jr., and serves as its executive director.  Nicole holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in human resources and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication with a specialization in public relations. Nicole is the proud mother of two sons, Paul III (P.J.), a successful entrepreneur and real estate investor; and Denzel, a three-time Pro Bowl cornerback for the Cleveland Browns. 

MTKYN’s mission is to prevent heart-related fatalities in communities across the nation by providing essential heart health education and resources. The foundation has made an incredible impact, training more than 15,000 people in CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) use. It has also provided life-saving emergency resources, including hands-only CPR certifications and AED machines, to local high schools, gyms, and other public facilities in Ohio. Nicole has been instrumental in creating and executing signature community events such as the Cleveland All Star Fitness Expo and Pop Up in the Park, which draw thousands annually, promoting heart health in engaging and fun ways. 

To further the foundation’s impact, Nicole advocates for reducing health disparities in the Black community and is a recipient of the NAACP Power of Influence Award. As a prominent health and wellness educator, Nicole played a critical role in advocating for HB47, now signed into law, which mandates that all public and private schools in Ohio have an AED, an emergency preparedness plan, and require staff and coaches to learn CPR and AED use. Her advocacy through MTKYN and legislative efforts ensures that schools are better equipped to respond to cardiac emergencies, protecting students and communities alike. 

Additionally, as a member of the NFL Smart Heart Sports Coalition, Nicole furthers her efforts to improve outcomes of sudden cardiac arrest in youth nationwide. Her community impact has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Health & Wellness Award from the 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, a certificate of special congressional recognition, and the 2024 Motivated and Empowered Cleveland Black Girl Rock Award. She has also been honored at the American Heart Association’s Greater Cleveland Heart & Stroke Ball, where she received the Live Fierce Stand for All Award, recognizing her as a catalyst for healthier lives for everyone, everywhere. 

Beyond her work with MTKYN, Nicole and her family fund the Paul G. Ward Jr. Memorial Scholarship, which annually supports a Bedford High School student in financial need. She is a member of the Professional Football Players Mothers Association, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, and The Links Organization. After her retirement from Cleveland Clinic, Nicole pursued her real estate license, joining Chestnut Hill Realty, and has been a real estate investor in the Cleveland area for more than 20 years. She has a certification in television and radio broadcasting and is signed with Pro Model & Talent Management. 

Q&A

What is your civic engagement?

My civic commitment centers on transforming the landscape of the heart disease epidemic, which remains the leading cause of death nationwide. I am dedicated to helping build healthy communities and improve longevity by empowering individuals with the education, knowledge, resources and confidence to act proactively, particularly in providing CPR and using Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) during cardiovascular emergencies. 

Thinking back to your early years, was there a teacher or professor that had a significant impact on your professional journey? 

While I cannot name a teacher or professor who had a profound impact on my professional journey, I was fortunate to have a remarkable supervisor early in my career as a human resources professional who shaped my path. Colleen Dolgan took me under her wing, mentoring and inspiring me in ways that transformed my career. She helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, consistently challenged me to step outside my comfort zone, and guided me in creating, developing, and teaching adult learning curricula for employees at all levels. Colleen opened doors for me in a field where few looked like me, offering me a seat at the table and embracing not only me but my entire family. Beyond her mentorship, she instilled in me a sense of confidence and possibility, making me feel, much like my parents did, that I could achieve anything.

What professional accomplishment are you most humbled by and why?

The professional accomplishment I am most humbled by is being part of a dedicated group that led the charge to change state law through the signing and enactment of HB47 in Ohio. This legislation mandates that all public, private schools, and recreational facilities in the state have an AED on-site, establish an emergency preparedness plan, and ensure that all coaches and staff are trained in CPR and AED use. This achievement was profoundly meaningful to me, especially because I tragically lost my husband when no one at a local gym knew how to use the AED available during his medical emergency. I was deeply honored to be invited by the state governor to speak and witness the signing of HB47 into law – a day and moment that I will always remember. Helping to influence this critical change in legislation was humbling on many levels; it serves as a tribute to my late husband’s memory and a commitment to preventing similar tragedies in our community. I never imagined I could help drive such impactful legislative change, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside my sons to turn our personal loss into a legacy of life-saving action.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion is vital to the longevity and success of any professional. On your most challenging day, where do you draw inspiration to continue feeding your passion for this work?

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion are essential to the longevity and success of any profession, as they ensure that all voices are heard and valued. My passion for this work is fueled by the persistent healthcare disparities faced by Black individuals and other minorities, particularly in heart health, which remains the leading cause of death in the U.S. When it comes to heart health and, more specifically, sudden cardiac arrest, Black individuals and women are significantly less likely to receive timely and appropriate care. 

Through the Make Them Know Your Name Foundation, our mission is to address these inequities by providing heart health training, education, and resources to everyone, including a special focus on underserved communities. By empowering these communities, we aim to bridge the gap in care and improve outcomes for all.

What is the toughest decision you’ve made professionally?

One of the toughest decisions I’ve made professionally was leaving a stable career, where I spent over 20 years and had envisioned retiring, not once but twice. I made this choice to pursue a path that I am deeply passionate about and that aligns closely with my purpose in life. It was a challenging decision to step away from a long-standing career, but ultimately, it was driven by my commitment to making a meaningful impact in a way that resonates with my core values.

Another difficult decision I had to make personally and professionally was choosing to be vulnerable by sharing the deeply personal and emotional story of how my late husband, the father of my son, passed away from sudden cardiac arrest. Although it is painful to relive, I decided to share our story because I believe in the power of storytelling. By opening up about our experience, I hoped to make heart health more relatable and underscore the urgency of learning CPR and how to use an AED. I felt that if sharing our journey could prevent another family from enduring the same loss, it would be worth every moment of vulnerability.

What do you see as the essentials to creating a harmonious work environment?

Fostering teamwork, embracing diversity and diverse perspectives, maintaining respectful interactions, and ensuring open and clear communication. Additionally, a flexible and enjoyable atmosphere that encourages positive energy and interactions is essential for cultivating a supportive and collaborative workplace.

What have you come to learn about success?

I believe that success is subjective and deeply personal; it’s not about meeting the expectations that others have set for you but about fulfilling the expectations you set for yourself, regardless of how big or small they may be. To me, failure is not real and not an option – what some might see as failure, I see it as if it was an opportunity to learn and grow. Each challenge or setback is simply a steppingstone toward achieving your ultimate goals and success. 

What have you come to learn about balancing career and lifestyle?

I’ve learned that when your career aligns with your passions, it naturally becomes a part of your lifestyle. Balancing the two means recognizing that both are important and that they energize and support each other. The same dedication, care, and work ethic you bring to your career should be mirrored in how you approach your personal life, and vice versa. If you allow your career to deplete you, your lifestyle may suffer, and if your personal life is draining, it will likely impact your professional performance. Striking a balance means nurturing both sides equally to maintain an overall well-being and fulfillment

What part of your job brings you the most joy?

The most fulfilling part of my job is educating and teaching people a life-saving skill set, such as performing CPR and using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). These are skills they can carry with them for the rest of their lives and could potentially save someone’s life. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the smiles on their faces and hear a lot of them say, “I’m so glad I know how to do this now.” I also find great joy in helping those who are underserved and facing healthcare disparities, ensuring they receive care and education in this critical area. Knowing that I’ve made a positive impact and empowered others, particularly within these communities, to make a difference is what truly brings me the greatest joy. 

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned professionally? How do you apply this lesson to the work you do?

The most important lesson I’ve learned professionally is that great leaders are servant leaders. Servant leaders prioritize the growth and well-being of others, focusing on building community rather than being self-centered. I work to apply this lesson by leading efforts to combat the heart disease epidemic and working alongside others to drive meaningful change in heart health outcomes within our communities. Our goal is to create a collective impact that will help reduce heart disease and sudden cardiac arrest as the leading causes of death in the United States. 

What is your ideal vacation?

To travel the world and visit places where heart disease and sudden cardiac arrest are no longer threats – where every community is thriving, heart-healthy, and free from the world’s leading cause of death. 

For more information about Make Them Know Your Name Foundation, visit https://mtkyn.org/

Read this article and more in CL Magazine Volume 10 Issue 3.