Tonja Ward
Deputy Executive Director
Tonja H. Ward is co-founder and deputy executive director of The Charlie & Tonja Ward Family Foundation. For over 25 years, she has been passionate about underwriting and producing impact events for young people that offer hope, create opportunities for defining life moments, and unite communities for conversations across lines of division. As a community servant, Tonja cultivates partnerships and leads the production of community outreach initiatives targeting youth character development and disaster relief. She has helped various small businesses and personalities with brand development, and led the planning and execution of nationwide sports and Christian music events and camps for students. Tonja is excited to launch the discovery, development, and infusion of digital strategies and new ideas in the broadcast ministry of praiseLive. With an extensive background in faith-based media and guiding nonprofit organizations with project management for community engagement initiatives, promotions, event planning, fundraising, and development, she began at praiseLive in 2020. Her role is to offer leadership to advance the ministry's growth and expansion locally and globally. Additionally, she is the weekend morning show host for the praiseLive network of stations in the Midwest and across Africa.
The Ward family relocated to Tallahassee, FL, in 2018 after living in Pensacola, FL, Houston, TX, San Antonio, TX, and the New York City area. While in Houston, in 2010, Tonja began serving in various roles for the award-winning Christian Radio Stations KSBJ and NGEN Radio before becoming the Director of Promotions & Outreach in 2013. After the move to Pensacola in 2014, she continued working with KSBJ as a consultant. She helped the leadership of WOW 90.9 (Brewton, AL, and Pace, FL) develop organizational plans for fundraising, marketing, and audience engagement. She was also an on-air personality serving as the midday host.
Tonja holds a master's degree in digital media management from the University of Southern California. She has a bachelor's degree from Spelman College (Atlanta, GA), a law degree from the University of Miami School of Law (Florida), studied broadcasting at Alvin Community College, and is licensed to practice law in New York. She is a long-time youth ministry teacher and worship leader. She has decades of nonprofit board advisory and trustee experience. Currently, Tonja serves on the boards of Tallahassee YoungLife and the Parent Help Center. She is passionate about building awareness for adoption and autism and promoting health and wellness. She has spoken at numerous events to inspire communities and advocate for these topics. Tonja and her husband Charlie have been married for more than 25 years. They are the proud parents of Caleb, Hope and Joshua.
