Jessica Stanfield joined the Guardian ad Litem Foundation, 20th Judicial Circuit Inc., formerly known as Voices for Kids of Southwest Florida, as executive director in 2019. While she brings extensive experience in fundraising, public relations, marketing and communication management to the job, she says it’s her passion for helping others that drives her.

“The Guardian ad Litem Foundation is a nonprofit organization with a mission to help identify, access and administer community resources and donations to support abused, neglected and abandoned children in Southwest Florida,” she says. “In my role, I support efforts of the program to help local children navigate the judicial, education and child welfare systems, and find a safe, permanent home with the help of their Guardian ad Litem volunteer advocate. Beyond that,
I want to build the organization’s capacity for growth and impact in the community.”

Prior to joining the Guardian ad Litem team, Stanfield served as development director for the Southwest Florida Symphony in Fort Myers.

What are your future aspirations?

I look forward to continuing to link arms with other leaders and groups to ensure Southwest Florida, and the communities in which we live, work and play are safe, welcoming, harmonious and thriving. I aim to “keep showing up,” even when the work feels uncomfortable, heavy and overwhelming.