Maryland CASA Welcomes Additions to Board of Directors

Baltimore, Md. (June 3, 2015) –Maryland Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Association has appointed two new members to its Board of Directors.Jessica Schmidt-Bonifant, a resident of White Marsh, has been appointed to assist with CASA’s fundraising endeavors. Schmidt-Bonifant is currently a Major Gifts Officer for the University of Maryland School of Dentistry and brings over ten years of experience to the organization.As Acting Chief Officer, Schmidt-Bonifant has assisted in raising over $2 million for the University of Maryland’s School of Dentistry. She has also aided the Vice President of the University in acquiring a $1.5 million gift for the organization.“I was motivated to serve on Maryland CASA’s board because it gives me the opportunity to work in a field that I care deeply about,” said Schmidt-Bonifant. “I plan to do everything that I can to help better position Maryland CASA to achieve its mission.”Schmidt-Bonifant is a graduate of the University of Louisville, a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and is currently pursuing her Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) certification.Also welcomed to the board is Penny Daniels, a resident of the Mount Vernon community of Baltimore City.  Daniels is a strategic communications consultant and coach for 3D Communications, a Baltimore company that helps executives and teams worldwide prepare for high-stakes presentations, media interviews, and other forms of communication.“I chose to join Maryland CASA because I wanted to serve on the Board of a non-profit that helps to make a profound impact on the lives of children who are in my own back yard,” said Daniels.Daniels is a graduate of the University of Michigan where she earned a B.S. in English, and later went on to achieve a M.S. degree in Broadcast Journalism from Northwestern University. Daniels worked as a TV news reporter and anchor for over twenty years.“My goal is to try and help Maryland CASA do that by leveraging my background in communications to raise awareness of the great work that we do,” said Daniels.“We are thrilled to welcome Jessica and Penny to the Maryland CASA board,” said Ed Kilcullen, State Director.  “Each of them brings much-needed expertise, as well as new energy and ideas, to the board.”Maryland CASA Association is a private, non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to ensuring the rights of all victims of child abuse and neglect to grow up in safe, permanent homes. This mission is carried out in partnership with the state’s 15 Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs, which provide trained volunteer advocates to speak up for the best interests of children. For more information, visit www.marylandcasa.org.