OUR STUDENTS AND ALUMNI

By Catherine Donnelly

Ellen Grant, PhD, LCSW-R, MSW ’74, has been a pioneer at every stage of her career.

She currently acts as senior executive director for corporate social responsibility and leads the Community Alliance to Reach, Empower and Sustain (CARES) program at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, but her career includes many highlights. Grant became the first Black vice president at any hospital in Western New York when she was promoted at Buffalo General Hospital, founded First Advantage Consulting, was twice named deputy mayor of Buffalo and was the first woman and Black commissioner of the Erie County Department of Mental Health.

The common thread through these roles is a desire to take care of people, which is what drew her to social work in the first place.

“My first full-time job was as an OBGYN nurse at the Edward J. Meyer Memorial Hospital [now Erie County Medical Center], and I loved it,” she says. “My Aunt Jane encouraged me to become a helper when she saw how taking care of people brings me joy. Many of my patients sought me out for advice, and I realized I could do more if I became a social worker.”

Grant chose to attend the University at Buffalo, where she could go to school during the day and work as a nurse at night. She earned a bachelor’s in sociology in 1972, before completing her MSW at the UB School of Social Work in 1974. She eventually returned to UB to earn her PhD in communications and organizational behavior in 1979 to facilitate new employment opportunities.

After graduating with her social work degree, Grant started working at Buffalo General. A chance encounter with the hospital president led to her groundbreaking leadership role managing all ambulatory care services, including mental health.

“It was tremendous to be promoted, but it was challenging to have so many eyes on me. I threw my all into it, knowing that I was representing so many different groups, and I am satisfied with what I achieved,” she says. “My hope is that my co-workers understood that we were there to serve others in a compassionate and humble way.”

Her current role was designed to formalize and expand the work Roswell does to enhance the community. The impact is huge. In 2024, her team collaborated on or sponsored almost 300 events while also coordinating all employee volunteer outreach, including an initiative with the Buffalo mayor’s office to host summer youth.

“Obviously, Roswell’s primary focus is to eliminate cancer, but there is so much more that we do. We educate the community about this disease, try to reduce disparities and hope to excite young people about STEM [science, technology, engineering and math] careers while advancing sustainability to preserve the planet,” she says.

Grant believes it is her social work background that has helped her focus on relationships and not just her to-do list.

“One of the things I’ve done for myself is develop a mentor board. The people on it might rotate off due to career changes, but everyone needs a sounding board,” she says.

Grant honed her focus on mentoring through a nonprofit she launched, called Women Who Lead. “The program is now a part of the WNY Women’s Foundation, but the purpose is to help women shifting in their careers,” she explains. “Everyone has a unique path, but no one needs to walk alone.” 

A past president of the New York State chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, Grant remains connected to the social work field through her outreach efforts. She is also a published author of three books, including The Female Worker's 14 Commandments for Powering Up Your Career, has run several marathons and loves to travel.

“My specialty is cognitive behavioral therapy, but most of my social work activity is through volunteering, executive coaching and writing,” Grant says. “UB continues to enrich my life, and I am a proud alum! I don’t know if enough people fully appreciate the blessing of having such an amazing university right here in Buffalo.”