San Antonio, TX, US—Art Jewelry Forum (AJF) is excited to announce its new executive director, Stefanie Fedor. Based in Lynchburg, VA, US, Fedor follows Yvonne Montoya, to whom we extend our heartfelt appreciation for a job well done. A search committee, led by Board Chair Bonnie Levine, conducted an extensive search that unanimously recommended Fedor to AJF’s Board of Directors.
Under Montoya’s dedicated leadership, Art Jewelry Forum built on its many strengths during her five-year tenure. Montoya successfully guided the organization through the COVID pandemic, led a successful fundraising campaign to mark AJF’s 25th anniversary, spearheaded a three-year strategic planning initiative, and developed new programs such as AJF Live, among other accomplishments. Her commitment, hard work, focus, and passion have guided the organization to a place of growth and stability, solidly positioning AJF as the place where the art jewelry community comes together. Fedor is poised to seize this momentum, run with these achievements, and propel the organization into a bright and bold future.
“We are so excited to welcome Stefanie to AJF to continue the great work that Yvonne accomplished,” says Board Chair Bonnie Levine. “Stefanie brings over two decades of experience in nonprofit arts leadership and a proven track record in strategic planning, fundraising, program development, and management. We are confident she’ll lead AJF to even greater heights.”
Fedor holds an MA in Visual Arts Administration from New York University and a BFA in Studio Art & Art History from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Originally trained as a fiber artist, she joins us with 11+ years of experience as an executive director—of both a large community arts center and a contemporary art museum—as well as several years as the assistant director of a university museum. During her career she has been a frequent guest lecturer, juror, panelist, and guest curator for many events and organizations. She brings to the table a keen sense of leadership, and great passion for the nonprofit arts world.
“I am overjoyed to join the vibrant and multifaceted AJF community,” says Fedor. “AJF brings together the most important thought leaders, makers, collectors, and enthusiasts at this exciting intersection of the art world, and I look forward to supporting its continued excellent work in advancing the field of art jewelry.”
Fedor will start her tenure full time on June 17, 2024.
About AJF
Art Jewelry Forum is a nonprofit organization spreading awareness and increasing appreciation of art jewelry worldwide since 1997. AJF advocates for art jewelry through an ambitious agenda of education, conversation, and financial support. It commissions critical writing that sets the standard for excellence in the field and publishes artjewelryforum.org, an online resource for original content on art jewelry.
