PAINTSVILLE, Ky. (December 2, 2025) – Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) has named Jennifer Stolo the next president/CEO of the 61-year-old nonprofit, effective January 19, 2026. Stolo will replace Guy Adams, who announced his impending retirement after leading the organization since 2010. CAP, a faith-based nonprofit that serves Eastern Kentucky and the surrounding Appalachian region, provides a broad range of services including home repair, hunger and disaster relief, early childhood and youth programming, counseling and more for children, families, and seniors.
“I want to thank Guy Adams for the steady leadership, integrity, and commitment he has shown over the years. Guy has built a strong foundation that all of us — the staff, donors and recipients — have benefited from, and I am grateful for the example he has set,” said Bob Hutchison, chair of CAP’s board of directors. “As well, I want to welcome our new president and CEO, Jennifer Stolo. I’m very confident in the direction she’s bringing and the CAP team. I look forward to the vision and momentum she’ll lead with us. The CAP team is ready to support her as we advance faithfully into our future together.”
A native of California, Stolo’s career began in early childhood development, leading programs that supported young children and their families during their formative years. She went on to lead fund development efforts for Boys Town, an organization supporting foster youth and families in crisis, and the California Dental Association Foundation, where she oversaw a $40 million statewide campaign to expand access to oral healthcare. For a decade, Stolo served as president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Northeastern and Central California and Northern Nevada. During her tenure, she managed the acquisition of two Make-A-Wish chapters, nearly doubling service territory and increasing wish granting by 35%.
For the last three years, Stolo served as CEO and producer for Robert Craig Films in Rocklin, Calif., a production company focused on inspirational and socially-conscious storytelling. Stolo led all aspects of operations, marketing, investor relations, and creative direction across its first five major productions, including “No Address,” a film released in February 2025 featuring a group of individuals experiencing homelessness.
“I am deeply honored and humbled to join Christian Appalachian Project and to help steward its extraordinary mission alongside its dedicated board, staff, volunteers, and community partners who serve with such compassion,” Stolo said. “My husband and I have spent a great deal of time in Kentucky for both work and personal reasons, and we are thrilled to be planting roots in the community we deeply admire and respect. I feel blessed to follow in the steps of leaders who have built decades of faith-driven service, and I am excited to bring servant leadership to CAP, whose mission and impact align closely with my values and life’s work.”
In each of her roles, Stolo has built and led high-performing teams, worked closely with boards to align governance and vision, and cultivated lasting donor relationships. She is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, earned a graduate certificate in Early Childhood Education Administration from California State University of Long Beach, and attended the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. Stolo is a seasoned panelist and public speaker who has presented nationally on a wide range of topics, including leadership, nonprofit sustainability, community impact, and the power of pause in a fast-paced world.
The search for CAP’s new president and CEO was led by Ashley|Rountree and Associates, a Louisville-based consulting firm that supports nonprofits in philanthropy, strategic planning, executive searches, leadership development, marketing, and more.