maria jossey owen

Maria Jossey Owen is a stay at home mom, Entrepreneur, Momanger to Actor Othel Robert Owen and the owner of Ave Maria Boutique an online handbag and accessory Boutique.

Prior to running her own business, Maria worked as the Personal Assistant/Executive Assistant to Judge Greg Mathis of the Court Television Show The Judge Mathis Show. As the Judges assistant, Maria was responsible for managing and organizing the office, viewing and responding to all fan mail, responding to all inquiries, scheduling all appointments, promotions and speaking engagements, writing and editing editorials and speeches, making travel arrangements, providing information and updating the website, developing databases of all business associates, and hosting and organizing special projects, events and seminars for 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 a 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). Maria led BGCC's local efforts to promote gender equity through gender training and workshops, creative partnerships with businesses and organizations, and encouraged girl specific programs that empowered girls to help them reach their full potential.

Committed to encouraging girls' leadership and the empowerment of women, Maria has volunteered with a number of 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 her own handbag business and serves as a consultant on many projects.