Jefferson County Library Foundation/honor Bell Foundation

Jo Schantz has more than 20 years of senior-level experience in management, fundraising and communications, and she currently serves as executive director of the Jefferson County Library Foundation. She has held leadership positions in a number of Denver-area nonprofits, serving as: development manager, Community Educational Outreach; executive director, Colorado Ovarian Cancer Alliance; chief development officer, Veterans Green Jobs; special projects manager, Colorado State University Extension in Jefferson County; and senior development officer, Griffith Centers for Children, Inc.

A magna cum laude graduate of Metro State University of Denver, Jo earned a bachelor's degree in English/Journalism and a master's degree in nonprofit management (MNM) from Regis University. In addition, she is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), she’s received Grants Professional Certification (GPC) and she’s acquired added certifications in marketing and public relations. Jo is a published, freelance journalist who has written for local newspapers as well as regional and national magazines. She serves on the CSU Extension Advisory Board and is a Board member for the Honor Bell Foundation and the Literacy Coalition of Colorado. Jo is also a member of West Metro Chamber of Commerce, Golden Chamber of Commerce, Arvada Chamber of Commerce, the Wheat Ridge Business Association, Applewood Business Association, Colorado Planned Giving Roundtable and the Association of Fundraising Professionals.