Mary Anne Ward appointed Executive Director of Sail Sand Point

Mary Anne Ward is the new Executive Director at Sail Sand Point, a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization located at the north end Magnuson Park on the shores of Lake Washington in Seattle, WA. As a community boating center, Sail Sand Point offers classes, rentals, and many sailing and paddling opportunities to the public.

Ward comes to Sail Sand Point from Chicago where she was the Event Director at Chicago Match Race Center, an organization that hosts and supports world-class race events. Previously she was the Regatta Chairman at the Lake Eustis Sailing Club, a non-profit community sailing center in Florida.

An experienced entrepreneur, Mary Anne successfully founded and sold two companies previous to working in the sailing world.

A distinguished skipper, Ward won the 2011 Audi Melges 20 Bacardi Miami Sailing Week, the first time a woman had won a premiere open championship in any of the Melges sportboat classes.

Ward is a respected role model for women in the sailing community, a motivating mentor for racers, and an empowering public speaker for youth. Her enthusiasm for teaching others how to sail and encouraging people to take on challenges make her an inspiring fit for Sail Sand Point.

At Sail Sand Point the key mission is to provide water access for people of all ages and abilities and to create a vibrant community of boaters. This is achieved through a scholarship program, community outreach events, sailing for people who have disabilities—even boat storage. Youth summer camps, adult lessons and race nights make Sail Sand Point a place where everyone can get involved.

“Sail Sand Point is one of the best kept secrets in Seattle that shouldn’t be a secret anymore,” states Ward. “The community spirit is what makes Sail Sand Point unique from other sailing opportunities in Seattle.”

As the new Executive Director at Sail Sand Point, Ward’s broad focus is to support the great community that exists through its programs.

“The fact that we can open the world of sailing to people of all ages and abilities makes Sail Sand Point integral to the sailing community in Seattle,” she notes. “I am proud to be part of Sail Sand Point because of the dedication we have to helping everyone in our community become successful sailors.”

Additional information: www.sailsandpoint.org