Jo Ann Ferdinand, Treasurer
The Joseph Leroy and Ann C. Warner Fund

Jo Ann Ferdinand has been a dedicated officer of the Fund’s Board since it was established by her late husband, Peter Sherman. After his passing, she stepped into the role of President and now continues to serve as Treasurer, following the appointment of her son, Daniel, as President.

Jo Ann holds a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University and a Juris Doctor from NYU School of Law. She served as a Justice of the New York State Supreme Court for three decades until retiring in 2016. During her judicial career, Judge Ferdinand founded the Brooklyn Treatment Court—the first of its kind in New York City—and played a key role in the expansion of treatment courts across the state.

Over 20 years at the Brooklyn Treatment Court, she offered more than 6,000 individuals the chance to resolve felony charges through court-supervised substance use treatment. More than 3,500 participants successfully completed their programs and had their charges dismissed. Under her leadership, the court also developed specialized tracks for veterans, young adults with marijuana charges, and DWI offenders, and championed approaches tailored for women, individuals with mental health and trauma histories, and those using medication-assisted treatment.

In recognition of her pioneering work, Judge Ferdinand was inducted into the Stanley Goldstein Treatment Court Hall of Fame by All Rise (formerly the National Association of Drug Court Professionals).