Jack & Jill Center — the longest running nonprofit provider of early childhood education in Broward County – is pleased to announce the appointment of Amy Jewell as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Jewell brings more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, community engagement and diverse business experience to her position as CEO of Jack & Jill Center. Throughout her career she has displayed a strong passion for serving the community and building resilient and sustainable organizations.
Since 1942, Jack & Jill Center has remained steadfast in its mission to strengthen children and families through innovative education, supportive programming and community engagement. Jack & Jill Center supports children of high-need working families through quality early childhood education, elementary education and family strengthening programs to ensure every child and family has the tools they need to be successful. In the past 80 years, Jack & Jill Center has served over 26,000 children and families in South Florida.
Most recently, Jewell served as senior vice president of operations for the YMCA of Greater Kansas City, overseeing 11 facilities and nine team members. In this role, she spearheaded initiatives to increase membership, program enrollment and community partnerships and created a capital investment strategy. Her prior experience includes serving as CEO of Ashore Consulting, LLC, facilitating public-private partnerships between public and private sector clients to meet community needs. She has held additional leadership positions with other organizations including the City of Mount Dora; Central Florida YMCA; the Jewish Community Center in Overland Park, KS; the Joplin Family YMCA; and Cho-Col-Ate Creations.
As CEO, Jewell will be responsible for the overall leadership, management and strategic direction of the organization. Her primary goal will be to ensure the organization’s mission is fulfilled while assuring it operates efficiently and effectively. Jewell will carry out the Center’s programs within the annual budget and in accordance with the policies set forth by the board of directors.
The role includes but is not limited to providing overall strategic direction, supporting Board governance and committee work, developing and implementing operational and fundraising strategy, supervising and coaching management team, participating in the community and in events related to early childhood and elementary education, championing early childhood and elementary education and forging a sustainable economic model.
“I’m incredibly honored to join the Jack & Jill Center team and contribute to its mission of empowering children and families,” said Jewell. “The Center’s commitment to early childhood education and community support aligns with my values and experience. I look forward to working with the dedicated staff, board and volunteers to build upon the already inspiring legacy and continue to expand its impact into the future.”
“We are confident that Amy’s proven leadership skills, collaborative approach and overall vision will propel Jack & Jill Center to new levels,” said Board President of Jack & Jill Center Scott MacLaren. “Her experience in the nonprofit sector, coupled with her passion for the well-being of others, makes her the ideal candidate to guide the Center into its next chapter.”
In 2021, Jack & Jill Center debuted its Madelaine Halmos Academy’s new state-of-the-art elementary school building, an expansion of Jack & Jill Center’s Early Education Center at its 1315 West Broward Blvd. campus in Fort Lauderdale. Serving students from high-need working families in kindergarten–fifth grade, the transformational project prepares students for success in their careers and life and is one of the highest-performing schools in Broward County. With its new building, Madelaine Halmos Academy significantly extended its offerings by providing a private school incorporating research-based best practices. The academy provides a safe, academically sound and socially supportive environment for students. NAEYC-Accredited Early Education, serving six weeks through VPK-4, is also available on campus.
For more information about Jack & Jill Center, please visit www.jackandjillcenter.org/.
About Jack & Jill Center
Jack & Jill Center’s mission is to strengthen children and families through innovative education, supportive programming and community engagement. It achieves its mission by focusing on both the children and family units as a whole, so that the entire household, children and parents alike, are able to reach their full potential. Since 1942, Jack & Jill Center has served more than 30,000 children and families in South Florida. It currently serves as a NAEYC-accredited year-round early learning program for children aged six weeks through preschool, as well as an elementary school. The Madelaine Halmos Academy’s (MHA) new state-of-the-art elementary school building, an expansion of Jack & Jill Center’s Early Education Center, debuted in April 2021. Serving students from high-need working families in kindergarten–fifth grade, the transformational project, is geared to prepare students for success in career and life and be one of the highest-performing schools in Broward County. For more information about Jack & Jill visit www.jackandjillcenter.org, https://www.instagram.com/jackjillcenter/, https://www.facebook.com/jackjillcenter, https://twitter.com/jackjillcenter, or call 954.463.8772.
