Meet Our Team

Mary C. Schoeffel

Mary C. Schoeffel - Executive Director
Mary holds a B.A. and M.A. from Loyola University Chicago and an M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Dallas. She worked as the Development Director for a human services organization that assisted the homeless in Dallas before advancing to the Texas Discovery Gardens, where she served as the executive director for five years. She extended her expertise to benefit the Susan G. Komen organization, where she served as a regional support director and manager providing strategic, development, and operations support to the affiliate network. Most recently, Mary served as the development director for CROW, a wildlife rehabilitation, education, and research organization in Sanibel, Florida.
To read Mary's full bio, click here

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Support Staff

Gayla Bowden - Manager of Mission Impact & Education
A 20-year resident of Naples and a seasoned mental health professional, Gayla Bowden brings over 25 years of experience as a clinical therapist and mental health advocate to her role at the Parkinson’s Association of Southwest Florida (PASWFL). With a deep understanding of mental wellness and community care, Gayla is committed to enhancing the overall well-being of individuals and families affected by Parkinson’s disease.

Gayla holds a Bachelor of Arts from Arkansas State University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Her diverse background includes leadership and outreach roles such as Volunteer Coordinator with the American Red Cross of Arkansas and Director of Garland County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). These positions sharpened her ability to build strong community partnerships, lead volunteers, and manage impactful events.

Before joining PASWFL, Gayla spent a decade with NAMI Collier, serving as both Care Coordinator and Program Manager. Her work focused on supporting individuals with mental health challenges and connecting families to vital resources.
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At PASWFL, Gayla now serves as Manager of Mission Impact and Education, where she leads with compassion, experience, and a dedication to providing free, high-quality services to our members.

Beth Sterchi - Donor Database Manager
​Beth Sterchi is a seasoned professional with 30 years of experience in event planning, 20 years in the nonprofit sector, and 13 years specializing in fundraising. Originally from Indiana, Beth has called Naples and Southwest Florida home for the past 21 years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies from Indiana State University.
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Beth’s personal connection to Parkinson’s disease—having two loved ones diagnosed— she is deeply committed to supporting the mission of the Parkinson’s Association of Southwest Florida and looks forward to working to advance the organization’s mission.
 
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family, including her husband, two grown children and a young grandson, and finds joy in cooking for loved ones.

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