Get to know Stephanie Maxwell, new executive director of Mountain Brook City Schools Foundation

Stephanie Maxwell is already making plans to hang photos of Mountain Brook schools and children behind her desk in the Board of Education building.

“I tell board members, ‘It’s not about you, it’s not about me, it’s about the kids,’” said the new Mountain Brook City Schools Foundation executive director.

Maxwell is filling the role previously held by Anne Womack, who moved after marrying in April. 

“Stephanie was a perfect fit for us for so many reasons,” foundation Board President Alice Womack said. “She brings to the foundation a wealth of knowledge and years of experience in fundraising in the education arena. We are so excited about the future of the foundation with Stephanie at the helm.”

Maxwell, a Baton Rouge native, brings more than 22 years of development experience to the foundation. She and her husband, David, have three children: Alex, a junior at Mississippi State University; Maddie, a ninth-grader at MBJH; and Logan, an eighth-grader at MBJH.  

Village Living asked her about her experience and her plans for the foundation. 

You and your husband, David, moved to Birmingham in 2013. Why did you choose to live in Mountain Brook?

We had heard that Mountain Brook had the best public school system. We had moved several times for David’s job, but this was the first time public schools were an option.

What appealed to you about this position with the Schools Foundation?

After taking a break from fundraising, I had been looking at listings, and this was a good fit for me because it included development and education. I feel like this is somewhere I can make a difference, and I have a vested interest because I chose the school system for my children and they have had to step up to keep up in school after attending private schools previously. 

How do you hope to build on your past professional experiences?

In the past I worked as a foundation officer at LSU, for two Brothers of the Sacred Heart high schools in Baton Rouge and for my children’s elementary school in Bay St. Louis. I have worked with annual giving, capital campaigns, board coordination and recruitment, funding buildings and technology, endowed chairs and grant writing. I want to help people understand the foundation and build awareness of the foundation to the next level. There are many organizations raising money in the area, and I want to show people how we figure into that. 

What are you most looking forward to about the position?

I am looking forward to meeting more people in the community since I am relatively new here. I enjoy fundraising because if you are promoting a quality project and are sold on it yourself, you are offering opportunities and a chance to invest in what you are doing. 

What ideas do you bring to the foundation?

I want to work more to build relationships with Mountain Brook High School alumni through their reunions and class gifts. I also want to enhance our memorial and honorary giving programs; we can send cards to honorees when donations are made, and there is room for reengaging past presidents with the current board and getting past donors to meet with the current board. I want to work to have more communication and updates for donors. 

What might people not know about the foundation?

We are our own separate entity, but we work in conjunction with the school system based on the system’s overall plan, not just projects we choose. We focus on technology, faculty development and libraries. 

What do you like to do outside of work? 

I was in choir and played piano growing up, and I am a board member for the MBHS Marching Band since my younger two children are in band. I recently got involved with Team Martina, Martina McBride’s global charity team, and last Christmas we delivered stockings to adult cancer patients at Bruno Cancer Center and are looking to do more this year. I also serve as a catechist at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.

To learn more about Mountain Brook City Schools Foundation or make a donation, visit mtnbrookschoolsfoundation.com.