Fox Valley Hands of Hope names new director of development
Fox Valley Hands of Hope has announced Gayle Deja-Schultz has joined the organization as its director of development.
"I am truly excited to have Gayle on our team. The experience she brings to our organization is going to help us reach new levels of success in our development and communications efforts," said Greg Weider, executive director.
"I am thrilled to be the newest member of the team at Fox Valley Hands of Hope," Deja-Schultz said.
"With my diverse background, I hope to implement my many years of business development and special event experience to assist FVHH in raising awareness to a new level throughout the communities it serves, and surpassing fundraising goals, event attendance and sponsorships beyond any previous years."
Deja-Schultz most recently was director of special events and development at the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago, where she was responsible for the organization's events and fundraising initiatives, and developing donor and sponsorship programs to achieve their financial goals. During her career she also has worked with associations, corporations and nonprofit organizations to help them build their business development, marketing, public relations and special events programs. She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the International Live Events Association, and is a Certified Meeting Planner.
A strong community leader, Deja-Schultz served as president of the Kaneland WINS group for women in business, and is a past board member with Kane County Senior Resources and DeKalb Women in Management. She volunteers with the Meals on Wheels Program and Senior Services Associates, and participates in Alzheimer's Association events. In 2011, she assisted in amending state legislation that placed distance restrictions on protesters at funerals and memorial services; she considers this one of her proudest accomplishments as a community activist and Illinois resident.
Deja-Schultz, her husband, a military veteran and Naperville firefighter, and children reside in Sugar Grove.
The community will have the opportunity to meet Deja-Schultz at the upcoming "Viva Villa Verone" fundraising dinner, Sunday, March 4, in Geneva. For more information on "Viva Villa Verone," visit www.fvhh.net.