Gulf Coast Community Foundation has hired Jennifer Johnston as its senior community investment officer. In this role, Johnston is responsible for developing and managing strategic initiatives and grant programs that address regional priorities and will result in improved public policies in the Gulf Coast region. Additionally, Gulf Coast promoted longtime staff members Wendy Deming to chief operating officer and Erica Furo to knowledge management officer. Johnston previously served as director of partnership development with Alpha House of Tampa, strengthening services for pregnant and parenting women experiencing homelessness in Hillsborough County. She also was a regional director for the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, creating healthier school environments for students and staff across the country. Deming, who had served as Gulf Coast’s chief of staff for 15 years before her promotion to Chief Operating Officer, is also the foundation’s corporate secretary. Her leadership responsibilities include liaison to the Gulf Coast Board of Directors, advisor on regulatory matters and governance, human resources manager and operations officer. Furo has worked in several roles at Gulf Coast over more than 15 years. In her new role, she oversees internal and external information systems to help the foundation more effectively do its philanthropic work. 

Gulf Coast Community Foundation