Acting PS in Premier’s Office, Sandra Ward.

A GIS press release said Ms. Ward, whose appointment is retroactive to March 4, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts (Communication) from the former Trenton State College in New Jersey, a Master’s degree in Public Administration and a Master of Arts degree in Public Communication from The American University in Washington, District of Columbia, (DC).

She also completed an Executive Diploma in Strategic Management from the Chartered Management Institute in the United Kingdom.

Ms. Ward joined the public service in July 1988 and was assigned to the post of Information Officer in the Government Information Service now known as the Department of Information and Public Relations. She was subsequently promoted to the post of Chief Information Officer and Director of Communications in 1992 and 2004, respectively. In 2002, Ms. Ward also served as private secretary to the chief minister in the Chief Minister’s Office, now the Premier’s Office. She was appointed to her current position as Deputy Secretary, Premier’s Office in June 2009 and has acted as permanent secretary on two occasions in August and December 2009.

As Acting Permanent Secretary, Ms. Ward is responsible for leading and managing the activities of the Premier’s Office, which is the focal point for coordinating government’s cross-sectoral policies and programmes, and managing the financial resources of the ministry. She will also be the chief advisor to the Premier on the formulation of policies for specific matters of development.