DBT40 Honoree: Matthew Ford

Title: Corporate Communications Manager

Workplace: Navient

Age: 33

For Matthew Ford, reputation is everything. As the corporate communications manager at Navient, he oversees all external communications to support the company’s goals through consistent and engaging messaging.

Ford began his career in broadcast journalism, working his way through four television markets, two Associated Press awards and one Emmy throughout a decade of working his way to become the producer of the most-watched morning show in Philadelphia. But even when he had to travel to jobs 100-150 miles from home, he still found a way to be a caregiver for his disabled mother, as he had been since a very young age following a massive brain hemorrhage that left her partially paralyzed.

Since leaving the media world, Ford has worked as a communications professional for AAA Mid-Atlantic and DuPont before joining Navient in early 2020, just weeks before COVID-19 shutdowns began.

During the pandemic, he found unique ways to make his mark as a leader in his new role. He strengthened relationships with local police and fire departments by donating N-95 masks, which also helped boost the reputation of his employer as a community-minded company.

But this University of Delaware graduate also stepped up in his personal life by advocating for brain injury and stroke survivors and their caregivers and volunteering with the Jefferson Health Mentors Program and their Stroke Support group.

In spring of 2021, Ford also started a Delaware-only weekly TV news program along with Ivan Thomas, founder of DETV Channel 28 in Wilmington, where he produces and reports the top story for the program that focuses on good news around the First State.