John Ward is in his second year on the Board of the Camp Fire Conservation Fund, where he has played a key role in expanding the Fund’s partnerships with major wildlife organizations. He spearheaded the Fund’s collaboration with the Wild Sheep Foundation, including the high-impact relocation of 77 desert bighorn sheep from the Alpine, Texas region to Franklin Mountains State Park in El Paso. This effort helped establish a disease-free breeding population vital to the species’ survival in that part of the country. He continues to support Wild Sheep initiatives and is actively engaged in a current grant request focused on buffalo repopulation in northern Montana.

John maintains long-standing conservation affiliations with Ducks Unlimited, the National Wild Turkey Federation, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

He is a fully registered North American Indian with full rights in the Listuguj Mi’gmaq First Nation in Quebec. His great-grandmother was a full-blooded Mi’gmaq woman who lived on the reservation, and her father served as chief. John’s family remains deeply connected to the band, with several relatives holding positions of influence today. He returned to Listuguj most recently in August to participate in the annual powwow and spend time with his extended community.

Professionally, John serves as Vice Chairman at Newmark Companies, a publicly traded, multi-billion-dollar global commercial real estate investment banking firm. He specializes in financing multifamily and manufactured housing across the U.S. through Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, HUD, CMBS, and private debt funds.

A lifelong sportsman, John is an avid and ethical hunter and fisherman, pursuing big game, waterfowl, and game fish across the country. He also enjoys recreational and competitive shotgun, rifle, and pistol shooting.

Originally from southeastern Virginia, John grew up hunting, fishing, and camping—developing a lifelong concern for wildlife and habitat conservation. He currently resides in Weston, Connecticut with his wife, and has three children living across the country.