Maria Jossey Owen

Maria Jossey Owen is an Entrepreneur, Manager of Actor Othel Robert Owen, Talent and Personal Management Consultant, owner of Ave Maria Boutique an online handbag and accessory Boutique, and owner of The Minority Business Network Directory.

Before running her own business, Maria worked as the Personal Assistant/Executive Assistant to Judge Greg Mathis on the Court Television Show “Judge Mathis”.

Throughout her professional career, Ms. Jossey Owen focused her skills and expertise in the fields of Management, Accounting, and Social Service. Her experience includes an 8-year stint as Director of Collections for the City of Chicago, Department of Revenue, and three years as a Financial Administrator with Nynex Business Center.

Maria also served as an Assistant Director of Youth Programs for the Mayor's Office of Workforce Development and Director of the Girls To Women Program with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago (BGCC).

Committed to encouraging girls' leadership and the empowerment of women, Maria has volunteered with several non-profit agencies such as the YMCA, The Chicagoland and Joliet Boys & Girls Clubs, A Sporting Chance Foundation, Girl Scouts of Chicago, The Chicago Foundation for Women and Operation Push. Maria has participated and served on the following Boards and Committees: The Youth Board at Operation Push, The Advisory Board of the Illinois Center for Violence Prevention (SisterNet), The Girls Opportunity Working Group for the Governor's Commission on the Status of Women in Illinois (Governor Ryan), The Women's Working Group for the Governor's Commission on the Status of Women in Illinois, The City of Chicago and Cook County Voices for Girls Center. Maria owns The Minority Business Network Directory, a shopping platform for minority businesses and consumers to shop by their community, and several e-commerce websites, and she serves as a consultant on many business projects.

Maria holds a BA in Communications and Journalism from St. Francis University. She is an advocate for children and human rights and dedicates her free time to various non-profit and political causes. Maria is happily married to Othel Owen and has a son, Othel Robert Owen who is an actor and entrepreneur. Maria resides in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood.