Jennifer Stewart
Executive Director
Key staff
Jennifer Stewart
Jennifer Stewart is Executive Director of Seafarers’ House, one of the busiest seafarers centers in North America. Seafarers’ House is a multi-faith ministry providing spiritual care and practical support to nearly 150,000 seafarers who come through Port Everglades.
Stewart was promoted to Executive Director in January 2020. Previously, Stewart has had served as development director since April 2016.
Stewart has nearly two decades of experience leading development efforts and serving in leadership roles at several South Florida-based nonprofit organizations. Prior to joining Seafarers’ House, she served as chief stewardship officer for the Community Foundation of Broward and as development director for Children’s Harbor in Pembroke Pines. Stewart also served as development director and grant manager for Women in Distress in Fort Lauderdale.
As development director, Stewart oversaw all fundraising and development for Seafarers’ House. Under her leadership, participation and engagement in Seafarers’ Houses fundraising events, such as the Business Leaders’ Luncheon and the International Golden Compass Gala, increased by 25%, raising money to support increased pastoral care and services at the facility. Stewart also spearheaded Seafarers’ Houses first capital campaign, a $3.5 million effort to secure funding for a new facility at Port Everglades, which is expected to open in late 2021.
Stewart is a graduate of Florida International University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in hospitality management. She also is a graduate of Leadership Broward, a 32-year-old leadership and training organization, and was recognized as the 2014 Outstanding Fundraising Executive by the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Broward County.
Father Sanford Sears
The Reverend Sanford “Sandy” Sears was ordained as a priest in the Anglican Church 2001 and comes to Seafarers’ House from Holy Guardian Angels Church in Lantana, Fla., where he served as vicar. Prior to that, he served as a hospice chaplain for six years.
Father Sandy, as he has come to be known, joined Seafarers’ House in late 2017 and brings with him, not only his pastoral service, but also his knowledge of the maritime industry. He is a retired United States Coast Guard Officer, having served from 1991 to 2001.
Father Sears leads a group of volunteer chaplains from various faiths who also support Seafarers’ House mission by providing counseling, assistance and spiritual resources. You can often find him visiting ships that arrive at Port Everglades and providing spiritual counseling to those in need onboard ships and at the Casa. He leads the organization’s Mariner Friendly Congregation program and oversees the all-volunteer annual Shoebox Christmas program.
“While the role of a seafarer often is romanticized, it can be a difficult and lonely existence,” says Father Sandy. “Being part of an organization that makes such a positive impact on the lives of these hardworking mariners is a role I am very honored to have.”
Prior to becoming a priest, Father Sandy served in the United States Army. He later earned a BA in History and English Literature from Charter Oak University in Farmington, Conn. and an MA in history education and department head leadership from the University of Maine.