The Naples Children Foundation (NCF), the founding organization of the Naples Winter Wine Festival, announced the promotion of Sandra C. Calad to Controller. In this senior-level position, Calad will lead daily accounting functions to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the financial process. Working closely with the Chief Financial Officer, she will assist in the continued development and implementation of internal controls across the department and the organization.
Calad, originally from Colombia, is a seasoned business professional who holds degrees in Business Administration from Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana in Colombia and Fachhochschule Münster in Germany. She joined NCF, previously known as the Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF), in 2017 as an Accounting Assistant and was promoted to Accounting Manager in 2019.
Prior to joining NCF, Calad made significant contributions to the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce through progressive elevation of accounting and HR Administrative responsibilities, overseeing the visitor center, and coordinating the volunteer workforce. Before relocating to the United States in 2005, Calad provided support to two large food manufacturers and the power tools division of a major conglomerate.
“We are pleased to promote Sandra to this very important position within our organization,” said Maria Jimenez-Lara, Chief Executive Officer for NCF. “Her ethical approach, strong sense of responsibility and commitment to lifelong learning make her an excellent business professional.”
About Naples Children Foundation
The Naples Children Foundation, the founding organization of the Naples Winter Wine Festival, creates transformational change and improves educational, emotional and health outcomes for vulnerable children in Collier County. Through its annual grants and strategic initiatives, NCF has impacted nearly 90 of the most effective nonprofits in the local community, providing 385,000 children with the services and resources they need to succeed. Through bold investments, collaborative partnerships, and data-driven solutions, NCF supports programs that ensure every child can thrive. NCF’s unique approach, which bridges public and private resources, has become a blueprint for how to transform a community – one issue at a time.
About Naples Winter Wine Festival
One of the world’s most prestigious charity wine auctions, the Naples Winter Wine Festival (NWWF) offers a weekend of unforgettable memories. Guests enjoy world-class food and wine during intimate dinners in elegant, private homes and other landmark settings across Naples and are invited to bid on once-in-a-lifetime travel and wine experiences during an electrifying live auction. Since its inaugural event in 2001, the NWWF has raised more than $336 million, making a profound difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of children locally.