Jewish Family Services (JFS) has announced the appointment of Angela DeWilde as its new chief executive officer after a national search.
She will start with JFS on April 21, succeeding Interim CEO Awais Sufi.
"We are thrilled to welcome Angela to lead JFS after a highly competitive search for our next leader," said Jeff Stolper, president of JFS’ board of directors. "Her extensive experience in building both highly effective organizations and programs serving vulnerable communities was very compelling to our CEO search committee, the JFS board and core partners involved in the search process. We’re thrilled to have her lead JFS as we support those in need across Kansas City.”
DeWilde began her career as a teacher before becoming the founding executive director of Start at Zero, a Kansas City nonprofit dedicated to partnering with parents to foster healthy early childhood development. After leading Start at Zero for seven years, DeWilde served as interim executive director at Show Me KC Schools during that organization’s transition, shoring up community support and programming. DeWilde then became a full-time consultant and program director at SchoolSmartKC, a local philanthropic collaborative, where she launched a series of programs to bridge the gap between schools and social service agencies in the areas of food security, housing stability and mental health.
Most recently, DeWilde has served as chief development officer for Avenue of Life, where she led fundraising efforts and built partnerships to strengthen community networks and enhance services for families facing housing insecurity.
"I am honored to join JFS at a time when its mission is more important than ever,” DeWilde said, “and I am delighted to work alongside its amazing team and extraordinary partners to build on its legacy of success and impact serving both the Jewish community and those more broadly in need within our community."
Originally from southeast Missouri, DeWilde earned her degree from Webster University in St. Louis and has called Kansas City home since 2007, where she lives with her husband, Anthony, and their two children.
More information about JFS is available at jfskc.org.