Project Angel Food is proud to announce the hiring of LaShanda Maze as its first-ever Chief Development Officer, a landmark moment in the organization’s 37-year history and a major step forward in strengthening its leadership for the future.

The creation of this new executive role reflects Project Angel Food’s continued growth and ambition as the organization expands its fundraising capacity, deepens donor engagement, strengthens community engagement, and builds the philanthropic partnerships needed to fuel its next era of impact. It also comes at a pivotal moment in the organization’s history, as Project Angel Food responds to growing demand for services while advancing bold plans to expand its reach and reimagine what medically tailored meals and nutrition education can mean for vulnerable people living with critical and chronic illness.

As Chief Development Officer, Maze will oversee a team of directors and their staffs across institutional giving, major donors, events, communications, volunteers, government and public funding, and the capital campaign, leading a comprehensive development strategy designed to strengthen Project Angel Food’s philanthropic foundation and position the organization for sustained growth. In this role, she will guide and integrate the departments and external-facing functions that are central to expanding visibility, increasing investment, and building the long-term support necessary to meet rising need across Los Angeles County.

Her appointment comes during Phase 2 of the Rise to the Challenge capital campaign, co-chaired by Jamie Lee Curtis and Marianne Williamson—a transformational effort to complete the two-building, 30,000-square-foot, $51.1 million The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation Campus. The expanded campus will position Project Angel Food not only to triple the number of meals delivered, but also to enhance client and nutrition services, establish a research and policy institute, and grow its extraordinary community of volunteers. As the organization looks to this next chapter, the Chief Development Officer role represents an important investment in the leadership needed to help bring that vision to life.

“We are excited to welcome LaShanda to the Project Angel Food team. She brings 20 years of fundraising experience — most recently coming from the Community Action Partnership of Orange County,” CEO Richard Ayoub said. “She has led fundraising teams focused on food insecurity and health-related missions and is well-acquainted with our work having previously been the Director of Development and Communication for Meals on Wheels West. We look forward to this time of growth in our organization.”

Maze is a seasoned nonprofit executive and fundraising strategist with 20 years of experience securing transformative investments to expand programs that strengthen communities and improve lives. She brings a strong track record of leading fundraising strategy, building high-level partnerships, and aligning philanthropic vision with organizational growth. Her experience spans major gifts, institutional support, communications, and strategic partnerships, making her especially well-suited to help Project Angel Food scale its fundraising operation at a time of significant opportunity.

“It is an honor to serve as the first-ever Chief Development Officer at Project Angel Food. Throughout my career, I have seen how access to nutritious food can stabilize lives, support health, and restore dignity,” Maze said. “Project Angel Food represents one of Los Angeles’ most vital safety nets for people living with critical illness, and I am excited to work under the leadership of CEO Richard Ayoub and alongside our community of supporters to build the partnerships and philanthropic support needed to expand this mission so that even more people receive the nourishment and care they deserve.”

Previously, Maze served as Chief Development Officer at Community Action Partnership of Orange County, where she led philanthropic and strategic partnership efforts for one of the region’s largest anti-poverty organizations. During her tenure, she more than doubled philanthropic revenue, secured major foundation and corporate investments, and elevated the organization’s regional visibility. Her work supported large-scale programs including the OC Food Bank, OC Diaper Bank, and anti-poverty programs that provide families with access to essential resources, wraparound support, and pathways toward long-term stability.

Earlier in her career, Maze held fundraising and communications roles with Meals on Wheels West, New Directions for Veterans, and Imagine LA, organizations dedicated to supporting older adults, veterans, and families transitioning out of homelessness. Across these roles, she developed a reputation for building strong cross-sector partnerships and for bringing together philanthropic, corporate, and public support to help mission-driven organizations grow their impact.

Maze was selected following an exhaustive nationwide search conducted in partnership with Aspen Leadership Group and a search committee organized within Project Angel Food’s Board of Directors. Her selection reflects the depth of experience, strategic vision, and leadership presence the organization sought for this inaugural role, as well as the confidence that she is the right leader to help guide Project Angel Food into its next phase of growth.

She also serves on the board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Orange County and Innovative Housing Opportunities, where she contributes her expertise in fundraising strategy, brand development, and communications.

The creation of the Chief Development Officer role represents a strategic and forward-looking investment in Project Angel Food’s future. As the organization continues to grow in scale, visibility, and ambition, Maze’s leadership will help ensure that Project Angel Food is positioned not only to meet the moment, but to define what is possible in the years ahead.