Episode 45: Arizona Helping Hands CEO Dan Shufelt
June 22, 2020
Episode 45: Arizona Helping Hands CEO Dan Shufelt
In this episode, Rob and Dana talk to Dan Shufelt, President and CEO of Arizona Helping Hands.
Arizona Helping Hands supports thousands of foster families throughout the state of Arizona. They provide everything from cribs and diapers to birthday gifts and bicycles. So far in 2020, they have distributed over 1,100 beds to foster parents. They also supply potential foster parents with items they need to pass the foster parent licensing inspection.
There are over 14,000 children in foster care in the state of Arizona and Dan talks about the positive impact his organization has had on the child welfare system. He also explains how Arizona Helping Hands receives funding directly from the state taxpayers as part of a program passed into law in 2013.
Learn more about Arizona Helping Hands at www.azhelpinghands.org or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
Dan Shufelt, President & CEO of ARIZONA HELPING HANDS is a native of Rochester, NY. He graduated with a BS in Accounting from St. John Fisher College and moved to Phoenix with his wife Cheryl Fehlner in 1979.
A CPA by trade, Dan’s charitable activities began in 1985 when he joined a Board of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix. He was instrumental in merging the 8 Branch Boards, and became the Inaugural President of the unified body.
In 2000, Dan was introduced to Arizona Helping Hands by its Founder, Kathy Donaldson. Kathy’s passion, and the appeal of working with a hands-on Organization dedicated to assisting Arizona’s children in need attracted Dan to the cause. He joined the Board of Directors and has been instrumental in the Organization’s phenomenal growth. Dan served in leadership roles including Board Chair and Treasurer over 14+ years.
In 2013 Dan proposed a change of focus to the Board – that of supporting the foster care community in Arizona. This new focus on an area of great need brought attention to Arizona Helping Hands and has spurred amazing growth in services to children and families.
In the spring of 2014, the Executive Director of AHH resigned. Dan’s passion was ignited by hearing the stories of the needs of foster families and seeing firsthand the benefit of the services AHH provides. In September, 2014, he accepted the role of President & CEO.
Dan brings his passion for the role, combined with business management and accounting skills to Arizona Helping Hands.
Married to Cheryl, they have two daughters and three grandchildren, and love the Arizona lifestyle.
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