Rita Wray, MBA, RN, BC, FAAN

Rita Wray is a member of the Chamberlain University Board of Trustees. She is the founder and chief executive officer of Wray Enterprises, Inc., a national independent healthcare consulting firm. Previously, she served as deputy executive director of the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration and held the position for nearly a decade.

With more than 45 years of service, Rita has made significant contributions as a leader in numerous professional organizations. She is past president for the International Women’s Forum/MS; member of the board of directors for the International Ballet Competition; former treasurer for the National Black Nurses Association; former chairperson of the State Initiative for the American Academy of Nursing, Institute for Nursing Leadership, National Advisory Council; former chairperson of Sustainability Committee and current Treasurer for the Nurses On Boards Coalition; former national first vice president and current Chapter president of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women; vice chairperson of the MS Public Service Contract Review Board; co-lead for the Mississippi Action Coalition – Future of Nursing/Campaign for Action.

Among many notable recognitions, Rita was named one of Mississippi’s Top Ten Leading Business Women in 2000, inducted as a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing in 2008 and named Honorary Secretary of the State of Louisiana by Louisiana’s Secretary of State Tom Schedler in 2012.

Rita holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of North Alabama and a Master of Business Administration degree from Jackson State University. She is certified in nursing administration through the American Nurses Association and is a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing.