Meet Joan Webb Scornaienchi, HC DrugFree’s Executive Director
Joan Webb Scornaienchi has served as HC DrugFree’s executive director since August 2009. With more than 30 years in education, her background includes extensive experience in higher education followed by serving as both grants and education program specialists at the Maryland State Department of Education. In 2023, Ms. Scornaienchi became a Standards for Excellence Institute® Licensed Consultant, and in 2012, she became a Certified Grants Management Specialist. Having also served as a drug and alcohol prevention specialist for a county-funded hospital program, she brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to the position. She holds a BS in business administration and a MA in student personnel services as well as completed all but the dissertation for a doctorate in education administration. Click below to read more.
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In December 2024, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) presented Ms. Scornaienchi with a Special Act or Service Award for Dedication to Duty and Outstanding Contributions. The award was presented by Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) of the Baltimore District Office, Brian Crowe, and was signed by the Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Washington Division, Jarod A. Forget.
In November 2023, Ms. Scornaienchi completed the Standards for Excellence Institute® Licensed Consultants Training Program allowing her to provide training, consulting, and support on the Standards for Excellence: An Ethics and Accountability Code for the Nonprofit Sector. Ms. Scornaienchi has the expertise and ability to guide a nonprofit in governance and management practices, as well as meeting the demands for nonprofit accountability.
In January 2023, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball appointed Ms. Scornaienchi to the newly-created Howard County Opioid Collaborative Community Council. The Council assisted in determining priorities for how the County should use funds received through a National Settlement Agreement with opioid manufacturers and any future settlements. The Council was charged with making recommendations to the Fiscal Year 2024 budget on or before June 30, 2023, with final findings made on or before July 31, 2024.
In June 2022, Ms. Scornaienchi was elected chair of the Howard County Local Behavioral Health Advisory (HCLBHA) Board through June 2024. HCLBHA was formed in June 2018 to advise the Howard County Executive and County Health Officer with their responsibility to plan, manage, and monitor Behavioral Health programs and services for county residents.
In March 2021, Ms. Scornaienchi was recognized by the Howard County Commission for Women as a “So She Did” campaign honoree for making positive changes to further the economic, social, and political equality of women in our community.
In March 2018, Ms. Scornaienchi was inducted into the Howard County Women’s Hall of Fame. In April 2018, she received the Audrey Robbins Humanitarian Award for Employee of the Year from the Association of Community Services and the Baltimore Sun featured her in an article titled 10 People Who Make Baltimore Better.
In November 2017, Ms. Scornaienchi was elected to an 8th consecutive term as the chair of the Howard County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Advisory Board (ADAAB). She served as chair of ADAAB until the board merged with the Howard County Mental Health Authority Board in 2018 and now serves on the newly-created Local Behavioral Health Advisory Board. She serves on the Howard County Opioid Crisis Community Council. As the former coordinator of the Howard County Opioid Misuse Prevention Program on behalf of the Howard County Health Department, she is the founding coordinator of the Howard County Opioid Coalition and founding co-coordinator of the County’s Overdose Fatality Review Team. She continues to serve on numerous committees and work groups at the Howard County Health Department including the Local Health Improvement Coalition as well as remains the Howard County substance misuse prevention coordinator.
For six years, Ms. Scornaienchi served as the vice chair of the Howard County Public School System’s Health Council. She served on the School System’s Mental Health Task Force for many years until it was merged into a new School Mental Health Community Advisory Council. She is a member of the Council and serves on the Howard County Public School System’s Superintendent’s Mental Health Subcabinet.
She is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Citizens Academy and member of their Alumni Association.
In October 2017, Ms. Scornaienchi received a Leadership Maryland Gold Award in recognition of her leadership experience, strength and dedication to building a better Maryland. Ms. Scornaienchi is a graduate of Leadership Maryland (Class of 2015) and Leadership Howard County (Class of 2011).
In November, 2017, she was inducted into The Daily Record’s Circle of Leadership for being named one of Maryland’s Most Admired CEOs for the third time. The Daily Record also honored Ms. Scornaienchi in 2015 and 2012 as one of Maryland’s Most Admired CEOs. The award winners were selected based on their demonstration of strong leadership, integrity, values, vision, commitment to excellence, financial performance, mentoring, and ongoing commitment to their communities and diversity.
Ms. Scornaienchi served as 2016-17 chair of the Howard County Commission for Women after serving as vice chair and recording secretary and remains on numerous advisory boards and committees throughout the County.
In 2017, The Daily Record featured Ms. Scornaienchi in their Path to Excellence Magazine and Howard Magazine and the Baltimore Sun highlighted her as one of seven Howard County women making a difference.
In April 2017, Ms. Scornaienchi was renamed one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women for the 3rd and final selection. At that time, she was inducted into the Circle of Excellence for sustained achievement, outstanding community service and a continued commitment to mentoring. She was previously named one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women in 2014 and 2012. In April, Ms. Scornaienchi also received the 2017 Jack Epstein Award from the Maryland Multicultural Coalition, the state chapter of the National Association for Multicultural Education, for exemplary contributions and commitment to multicultural education in Maryland.
As a Friends of Education award nominee, the Howard County Public School System presented Ms. Scornaienchi with a Certificate of Appreciation for her outstanding contributions to the school system in 2017, and the Howard County Police Department presented Ms. Scornaienchi with a Certificate of Appreciation in 2017 for her dedication and participation with HC DrugFree’s annual Senior Week: Staying Safe in Ocean City program.
In 2016, Ms. Scornaienchi was presented with The Daily Record’s 2016 Innovator of the Year award for her vision, leadership and commitment to Howard County’s opioid misuse education and developing a campaign in four languages. She was also honored as a 2016 Journey Honoree and received the Leadership in Youth Engagement Award presented by girls participating in The Howard County Women’s Giving Circle’s summer leadership camp.
In 2016, she was recognized by Senator Barbara Mikulski and Congressman Elijah Cummings for her work on behalf of Howard County youth and families.
In 2015, the Howard County Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission selected Ms. Scornaienchi as the Individual Honoree for the Living the Dream Award for her many personal and professional contributions to the community.
Also in 2015, Soroptimist International of Howard County awarded her with the Ruby Award for Women Helping Women. In 2014, The National Grants Management Association awarded her the Impact Award in the Private Sector.
In 2012, she received the Howard County Office of Children’s Services’ Celebrating Successes for Children Award in the High School Category for her work on behalf of high school students.
Ms. Scornaienchi and her husband, John, reside in Columbia.
