March 29, 2023 by Dana Kobilinsky
Jones-Anderson brings 15 years of experience working with nonprofits
When Maranda Jones-Anderson was just 45 days into a finance position at a previous organization, she was tasked with a big transition—moving the office from New York to Washington, D.C.
“I had to re-create the organizations financial reporting completely from scratch and provide first quarter financials at the first board meeting,” she said.
That wasn’t easy. She didn’t have access to the necessary financials systems and had to learn new systems, implement new financial procedures and manually input everything on paper. Under her leadership, Maranda and her small team worked long nights and weekends. But it was worth it, she said, and the successful transition became one of her proudest moments.
Jones-Anderson is now applying her financial acumen—along with human resource skills—at The Wildlife Society, as she takes on the role of director of finance and human resources.
“Maranda comes to TWS with a wealth of financial management experience and we are excited to have her joining our team” said Ed Arnett, CEO of TWS. “Staff members that have been performing our financial and human resources functions over the past few years can now get back to delivering on mission critical programmatic work. I look forward to working with Maranda and exploring opportunities to improve our overall financial health and long-term stability, as well as potential for growth at TWS.”
Maranda grew up in Los Angeles, which she still refers to as home and even has a map of the state in her office in Maryland. She moved to the D.C. area, where her aunt and grandparents lived, to attend Howard University. But she didn’t begin her career path as a business major.
Instead, Jones-Anderson was on a track to become a nurse—particularly a nurse practitioner or midwife—but just couldn’t deal with the human cadavers. She went straight to her advisor to switch gears. Homing in on her math skills, her advisor pointed her in the direction of business and accounting.
It was the perfect fit. And soon, she found her perfect partner, too—in a nonconventional way. Her now husband was a police officer who had pulled her over. “We’ve been together ever since,” she said.
While building a family with her husband, she finished her undergraduate studies with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business management and a minor in human resources. She continued on to earn advanced degrees including a master’s in accounting and a master’s of business administration at the University of Maryland University College. “I have a passion for telling a financial story for people that is easy to digest for everyone,” she said.
Since then, Jones-Anderson has spent 15 years in the nonprofit sector in positions from staff accountant, to senior director and CFO in a number of organizations. Anderson-Jones comes to TWS directly after serving as the acting division chief for the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.
“I saw synergy in my previous position with national parks and urban planning and saw the direct connection there,” she said.
Jones-Anderson is ready to roll up her sleeves as she begins her journey at TWS. In her first month Maranda is elated about, “the number of opportunities for the organization’s growth financially and for it to become the “premier organization for wildlife professionals,” she said. She is especially excited to participate in developing and implementing The Wildlife Society’s strategic plan.
“It’s nice to have great plans,” she said. “To write them is one thing. To execute them well is another. To measure their success is a whole other beast. I’m happy to have a seat at the table to help move this strategic plan and vision forward.”
Header Image: Maranda Jones-Anderson has joined The Wildlife Society as the director of finance and human resources. Courtesy Maranda Jones-Anderson
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