Sharon D. Ballard
About Sharon D. Ballard
Sharon D. Ballard serves as the Director of the Office of Internal Management and Planning at the National Institutes of Health, a position she has held since 2015. With extensive experience at NIH, she has held various leadership roles, including Director of Workforce Support and Development and Director of OHR Policy, Planning & Accountability.
Current Role at National Institutes of Health
Sharon D. Ballard serves as the Director of the Office of Internal Management and Planning at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). She has held this position since 2015, overseeing various management and planning initiatives within the organization. Her role involves strategic planning and internal management to enhance operational effectiveness at NIH, located in Bethesda, Maryland.
Previous Positions at National Institutes of Health
Ballard has held multiple roles at the National Institutes of Health prior to her current position. She was the Director of the Workforce Support and Development Division from 2008 to 2014 and the Director of the OHR Policy, Planning & Accountability Group from 2014 to 2015. Additionally, she served as Acting Deputy Director of the Office of Human Resources for one month in 2014 and was the Director of the NIH Transition & Work/Life Centers from 2006 to 2008. Her career at NIH began as a Program Manager and Management Intern at the NIH Training Center from 2002 to 2006.
Education and Academic Background
Sharon D. Ballard has a strong educational background in therapeutic recreation and adult education. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education with a focus on Therapeutic Recreation from Baylor University, completing her studies from 1982 to 1986. She furthered her education at the University of Georgia, where she achieved a Master of Education in Therapeutic Recreation and Adult Education from 1986 to 1987. Additionally, she attended Tivy High School.
Teaching Experience
In addition to her roles at NIH, Ballard has experience in academia. She worked as an Adjunct Professor at Columbus State University from 1988 to 1994. During this time, she contributed to the education of students in her field, sharing her expertise in therapeutic recreation and related subjects.
Professional Experience Prior to NIH
Before joining the National Institutes of Health, Sharon D. Ballard held the position of Director of Adjunctive Therapies at The Bradley Center, Columbus Regional Health from 1988 to 1994. This role involved overseeing therapeutic programs and services, further establishing her expertise in therapeutic recreation and management.