Fundraising executive appointed to run children-focused nonprofit

FORT MYERS — The Guardian ad Litem Foundation of the 20th Judicial Circuit appointed Jessica Stanfield its new executive director.

Stanfield will oversee fundraising and development, communications, event coordination and campaigns to broaden community awareness about the Guardian ad Litem program, according to a news release.

A nonprofit, the Guardian ad Litem Foundation raises funds that help recruit and train court-appointed advocates, as well as pay for extras like school field trips, movie tickets, participation in clubs and sports, or birthday parties, for youth in the child welfare and foster care systems.

“Jessica has a tremendous work ethic, is passionate about helping children in the foster care system and has strong skills in the fundraising and development arena,” Bruce Greenberg, president of Guardian ad Litem Foundation’s executive committee, says in the release. “I’m confident that she will continue driving the Foundation’s vision and making a positive impact on the lives of children we serve.”

Stanfield previously was the development director for Southwest Florida Symphony, where she led individual and corporate sponsor development for the Symphony Orchestra and its Endowment Foundation. Before moving to Southwest Florida, Stanfield worked at the National Museum of Dance in New York, serving as programming and outreach coordinator.