2019 Conference Speakers
CONFERENCE SPEAKERS (In alphabetical order by last name)
Laura Alexander, Relationship Manager, TIAA Kaspick
Ms. Alexander joined TIAA Kaspick in 2014 from Dartmouth College where she was the Associate Director of Gift Planning. Prior to working at Dartmouth, she practiced law with Bryan Cave LLP in the areas of securities, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, and banking. Ms. Alexander holds a BA in American Studies summa cum laude from California State University, Fullerton and a JD from Vanderbilt University School of Law. She has served as a board member of the Planned Giving Council of New Hampshire and Vermont.
Ms. Alexander joined TIAA Kaspick in 2014 from Dartmouth College where she was the Associate Director of Gift Planning. Prior to working at Dartmouth, she practiced law with Bryan Cave LLP in the areas of securities, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, and banking. Ms. Alexander holds a BA in American Studies summa cum laude from California State University, Fullerton and a JD from Vanderbilt University School of Law. She has served as a board member of the Planned Giving Council of New Hampshire and Vermont.
Alexandra Aquino-Fike, Vice President of Development, East Bay Community Foundation
Alexandra Aquino-Fike is a highly experienced leader in development and program management. Most recently, she was the Vice President of Development at Hispanics in Philanthropy, a national and transnational network of funders dedicated to investing in Latino leadership, voice, and equity. While at HIP, she supported the design, implementation, and evaluation of HIP’s fundraising strategies and activities. Alexandra was also responsible for the launch and growth of HIP’s latest initiative, the first online giving platform for Latino communities across the Americas – HIPGive. Additionally, she led efforts to raise over $1.4 million in two years in institutional support to design and launch HIPGive, which since 2014 has channeled over $1 million to Latino causes. Alexandra brings a wealth of experience from both the private and nonprofit sectors. Prior to HIP, she served as an associate attorney with the international law firm, Greenberg Traurig, LLP in New York. She has also worked with Shorebank in Chicago, and with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Italy. Alexandra holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law and a Master’s degree in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School, where she was the Co-Chair of both the Berkeley La Raza Law Students Association and the Kennedy Diversity Committee. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Wellesley College. She is a member of the State Bar of New York and the Hispanic National Bar Association. Alexandra serves on the board of directors of the SHARE El Salvador Foundation and is the chairwoman of the board of directors of the Mauricio Aquino Chacón Foundation, both based in Berkeley.
Alexandra Aquino-Fike is a highly experienced leader in development and program management. Most recently, she was the Vice President of Development at Hispanics in Philanthropy, a national and transnational network of funders dedicated to investing in Latino leadership, voice, and equity. While at HIP, she supported the design, implementation, and evaluation of HIP’s fundraising strategies and activities. Alexandra was also responsible for the launch and growth of HIP’s latest initiative, the first online giving platform for Latino communities across the Americas – HIPGive. Additionally, she led efforts to raise over $1.4 million in two years in institutional support to design and launch HIPGive, which since 2014 has channeled over $1 million to Latino causes. Alexandra brings a wealth of experience from both the private and nonprofit sectors. Prior to HIP, she served as an associate attorney with the international law firm, Greenberg Traurig, LLP in New York. She has also worked with Shorebank in Chicago, and with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Italy. Alexandra holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law and a Master’s degree in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School, where she was the Co-Chair of both the Berkeley La Raza Law Students Association and the Kennedy Diversity Committee. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Wellesley College. She is a member of the State Bar of New York and the Hispanic National Bar Association. Alexandra serves on the board of directors of the SHARE El Salvador Foundation and is the chairwoman of the board of directors of the Mauricio Aquino Chacón Foundation, both based in Berkeley.
Donna Bandelloni, Senior Consulting Associate, Heaton Smith Group
Donna has served as a director of gift planning for leading healthcare organizations and senior director and director of charitable gifts for world-leading financial institutions for more than 25 years. Her capacity to lead and execute produced significant growth in gift planning programs for large healthcare foundations located in Northern California. In addition, Donna held director positions at large financial institutions such as Merrill Lynch Trust, Wells Fargo Charitable Management, and Mellon Financial, and successfully expanded their charitable services to the nonprofit sector.
Donna has served as a director of gift planning for leading healthcare organizations and senior director and director of charitable gifts for world-leading financial institutions for more than 25 years. Her capacity to lead and execute produced significant growth in gift planning programs for large healthcare foundations located in Northern California. In addition, Donna held director positions at large financial institutions such as Merrill Lynch Trust, Wells Fargo Charitable Management, and Mellon Financial, and successfully expanded their charitable services to the nonprofit sector.
Aviva Shiff Boedecker, J.D., Senior Consultant, SHARPE newkirk
Aviva Shiff Boedecker is a senior consultant based in San Francisco. An attorney with over 30 years of gift planning experience, Aviva has served for more than a decade each as a director of planned giving at the University of California, Berkeley and the Marin Community Foundation. She initiated San Francisco Ballet’s planned giving program after beginning her career in the private practice of law. Aviva has served on the board of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners and is a past president of the Northern California Planned Giving Council and of the Marin County Estate Planning Council and has been recognized for her service to the planned giving community with the Northern California Planned Giving Council’s Phil Hoffmire Service Award. Aviva has been a member of Planned Giving Today’s Editorial Advisory Board, writes for many planned giving publications and is a frequent lecturer on planned giving and a resource on philanthropy for professional advisors and individual donors. Her lecture topics include marketing dos and don’ts, how to identify planned giving prospects, legacy planning and what to do with gifts: the good, the interesting and the illiquid. She has lectures specially designed for boards, for volunteers and for professional advisor groups. She recently presented at the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ International Conference. Aviva is a Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters and has been involved with a variety of nonprofit and community organizations. She is an alumna of the University of California, Berkeley and the University of California, Hastings College of the Law and a member of the California Bar.
Aviva Shiff Boedecker is a senior consultant based in San Francisco. An attorney with over 30 years of gift planning experience, Aviva has served for more than a decade each as a director of planned giving at the University of California, Berkeley and the Marin Community Foundation. She initiated San Francisco Ballet’s planned giving program after beginning her career in the private practice of law. Aviva has served on the board of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners and is a past president of the Northern California Planned Giving Council and of the Marin County Estate Planning Council and has been recognized for her service to the planned giving community with the Northern California Planned Giving Council’s Phil Hoffmire Service Award. Aviva has been a member of Planned Giving Today’s Editorial Advisory Board, writes for many planned giving publications and is a frequent lecturer on planned giving and a resource on philanthropy for professional advisors and individual donors. Her lecture topics include marketing dos and don’ts, how to identify planned giving prospects, legacy planning and what to do with gifts: the good, the interesting and the illiquid. She has lectures specially designed for boards, for volunteers and for professional advisor groups. She recently presented at the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ International Conference. Aviva is a Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters and has been involved with a variety of nonprofit and community organizations. She is an alumna of the University of California, Berkeley and the University of California, Hastings College of the Law and a member of the California Bar.
Erin Bradrick, Principal, NEO Law Group
Erin Bradrick is a Principal at NEO Law Group, where she provides corporate, governance, charitable trust, and tax counsel solely to nonprofits and exempt organizations. Erin also writes extensively on legal issues impacting the nonprofit sector, including as a columnist for The Daily Journal, California's largest legal news provider. She has written articles published by Taxation of Exempts, The Nonprofit Quarterly, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, and the ABA's Business Law Today, among others. Erin is deeply committed to supporting and strengthening nonprofits and the sector at large and has led various advocacy efforts to this end. She also frequently speaks on nonprofit legal issues to various audiences, including at multiple BoardSource Leadership Forums, the Western Conference on Tax Exempt Organizations, and the ABA Business Law Section Conference. She often conducts trainings for nonprofit staffs on lobbying, advocacy, and election-related activities and for nonprofit Boards of Directors on a range of governance issues. Prior to joining NEO Law Group, Erin was a litigator with Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP and also clerked for the Honorable Dana M. Sabraw in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. Erin is a graduate of UCLA and Yale Law School, where she was Submissions Director of the Yale Journal of Law and Feminism. In 2017, Erin was awarded the American Bar Association’s “On the Rise – Top 40 Young Lawyers” by the Young Lawyers Division and, in 2018, was recognized as the “Outstanding Nonprofit Lawyer – Young Attorney” by the ABA’s Nonprofit Organizations Committee.
Erin Bradrick is a Principal at NEO Law Group, where she provides corporate, governance, charitable trust, and tax counsel solely to nonprofits and exempt organizations. Erin also writes extensively on legal issues impacting the nonprofit sector, including as a columnist for The Daily Journal, California's largest legal news provider. She has written articles published by Taxation of Exempts, The Nonprofit Quarterly, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, and the ABA's Business Law Today, among others. Erin is deeply committed to supporting and strengthening nonprofits and the sector at large and has led various advocacy efforts to this end. She also frequently speaks on nonprofit legal issues to various audiences, including at multiple BoardSource Leadership Forums, the Western Conference on Tax Exempt Organizations, and the ABA Business Law Section Conference. She often conducts trainings for nonprofit staffs on lobbying, advocacy, and election-related activities and for nonprofit Boards of Directors on a range of governance issues. Prior to joining NEO Law Group, Erin was a litigator with Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP and also clerked for the Honorable Dana M. Sabraw in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. Erin is a graduate of UCLA and Yale Law School, where she was Submissions Director of the Yale Journal of Law and Feminism. In 2017, Erin was awarded the American Bar Association’s “On the Rise – Top 40 Young Lawyers” by the Young Lawyers Division and, in 2018, was recognized as the “Outstanding Nonprofit Lawyer – Young Attorney” by the ABA’s Nonprofit Organizations Committee.
Stephanie Buckley, Senior Regional Fiduciary Manager, Wells Fargo Philanthropic Services
Stephanie Buckley serves as Senior Vice President and Senior Regional Fiduciary Manager of Philanthropic Services within The Private Bank. Prior to joining Wells Fargo, Ms. Buckley worked at Pepperdine University for over 10 years as an associate vice chancellor of the Center for Estate and Gift Planning. She also served as associate vice chancellor at the law school where she raised major gifts, managed the school’s board of visitors and taught as an adjunct faculty member.
Ms. Buckley earned a BA degree in Economics with high honors from the University of California, Santa Barbara, a JD with a specialization in business law from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law and an LLM in taxation with honors from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. Ms. Buckley is a member of the State Bar of California, on the editorial board for Planned Giving Today, a former trustee for Heifer International Foundation and a past president for both the Los Angeles Council for Charitable Gift Planners and the Planned Giving Council of Ventura County. She serves on the faculty of the American Institute for Philanthropic Studies and formerly taught at UCLA Extension. Ms. Buckley is a former college gymnast.
Stephanie Buckley serves as Senior Vice President and Senior Regional Fiduciary Manager of Philanthropic Services within The Private Bank. Prior to joining Wells Fargo, Ms. Buckley worked at Pepperdine University for over 10 years as an associate vice chancellor of the Center for Estate and Gift Planning. She also served as associate vice chancellor at the law school where she raised major gifts, managed the school’s board of visitors and taught as an adjunct faculty member.
Ms. Buckley earned a BA degree in Economics with high honors from the University of California, Santa Barbara, a JD with a specialization in business law from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law and an LLM in taxation with honors from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. Ms. Buckley is a member of the State Bar of California, on the editorial board for Planned Giving Today, a former trustee for Heifer International Foundation and a past president for both the Los Angeles Council for Charitable Gift Planners and the Planned Giving Council of Ventura County. She serves on the faculty of the American Institute for Philanthropic Studies and formerly taught at UCLA Extension. Ms. Buckley is a former college gymnast.
Matthew Clausen, Principal, Adler & Colvin
Matthew Clausen is a Principal at Adler & Colvin. His practice focuses on federal and state tax law, corporate governance, and trust law matters that arise for tax-exempt organizations and their donors. He advises exempt organizations, including community foundations, donor-advised fund sponsors, private foundations, and supporting organizations, and the individual and corporate donors that support them. Before joining Adler & Colvin, Mr. Clausen practiced at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe in San Francisco, Washington D.C., and London, focusing primarily on tax-exempt bonds and related financing structures, taxation of cross-border corporate transactions, and public-private partnerships. Prior to working at Orrick, Mr. Clausen was a litigator at Thelen, Reid & Priest in San Francisco. Mr. Clausen has served as adjunct faculty in the Golden Gate University School of Law’s Tax LL.M. program and in the University of San Francisco’s Masters of Nonprofit Management program, and has lectured for nonprofit professionals and legal advisors on tax and corporate governance issues affecting exempt organizations and their donors. He served as Co‑Chair of the Tax Exempt Organizations committee of the Taxation Section of the California State Bar. He is also a member of the American Bar Association (Exempt Organizations Committee of the Tax Law Section) and the Bar Association of San Francisco. His publications include “Charitable Contributions of Restricted Stock, Options, and Similar Assets,” published in Taxation of Exempt Organizations. He earned his B.A. from the University of British Columbia, his J.D. from the University of California, Davis, School of Law, and his LL.M. degree from the New York University School of Law, where he was a graduate editor of the Tax Law Review.
Matthew Clausen is a Principal at Adler & Colvin. His practice focuses on federal and state tax law, corporate governance, and trust law matters that arise for tax-exempt organizations and their donors. He advises exempt organizations, including community foundations, donor-advised fund sponsors, private foundations, and supporting organizations, and the individual and corporate donors that support them. Before joining Adler & Colvin, Mr. Clausen practiced at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe in San Francisco, Washington D.C., and London, focusing primarily on tax-exempt bonds and related financing structures, taxation of cross-border corporate transactions, and public-private partnerships. Prior to working at Orrick, Mr. Clausen was a litigator at Thelen, Reid & Priest in San Francisco. Mr. Clausen has served as adjunct faculty in the Golden Gate University School of Law’s Tax LL.M. program and in the University of San Francisco’s Masters of Nonprofit Management program, and has lectured for nonprofit professionals and legal advisors on tax and corporate governance issues affecting exempt organizations and their donors. He served as Co‑Chair of the Tax Exempt Organizations committee of the Taxation Section of the California State Bar. He is also a member of the American Bar Association (Exempt Organizations Committee of the Tax Law Section) and the Bar Association of San Francisco. His publications include “Charitable Contributions of Restricted Stock, Options, and Similar Assets,” published in Taxation of Exempt Organizations. He earned his B.A. from the University of British Columbia, his J.D. from the University of California, Davis, School of Law, and his LL.M. degree from the New York University School of Law, where he was a graduate editor of the Tax Law Review.
Sam Cobbs, President, Tipping Point Community
Sam Cobbs is a trained social worker and national policy expert with 20 years of experience in the nonprofit field. At the helm of nonprofits that serve foster youth and now as President of Tipping Point Community, Cobbs has demonstrated an exceptional capacity to design and implement programs that successfully improve outcomes and reduce poverty and homelessness amongst California’s most vulnerable populations. Prior to joining Tipping Point, Cobbs served as Chief Executive Officer of First Place for Youth, where he helped grow the organization from a budget of $1.9 million to $28 million. Under his leadership, the organization’s impact increased significantly – from serving approximately 600 youth in one location in 2006 to a national program operating throughout the state of California and four other states. Previous to his tenure at First Place for Youth, Cobbs served as Director of Program Services at Larkin Street Youth Services where he opened San Francisco’s first emergency shelter for young adults and assisted in the design and implementation of two of the nation’s most innovative housing programs for youth. Cobbs is a graduate of the California State University, East Bay, with a BS in Psychology and a MS in counseling with an emphasis in organizational development.
Sam Cobbs is a trained social worker and national policy expert with 20 years of experience in the nonprofit field. At the helm of nonprofits that serve foster youth and now as President of Tipping Point Community, Cobbs has demonstrated an exceptional capacity to design and implement programs that successfully improve outcomes and reduce poverty and homelessness amongst California’s most vulnerable populations. Prior to joining Tipping Point, Cobbs served as Chief Executive Officer of First Place for Youth, where he helped grow the organization from a budget of $1.9 million to $28 million. Under his leadership, the organization’s impact increased significantly – from serving approximately 600 youth in one location in 2006 to a national program operating throughout the state of California and four other states. Previous to his tenure at First Place for Youth, Cobbs served as Director of Program Services at Larkin Street Youth Services where he opened San Francisco’s first emergency shelter for young adults and assisted in the design and implementation of two of the nation’s most innovative housing programs for youth. Cobbs is a graduate of the California State University, East Bay, with a BS in Psychology and a MS in counseling with an emphasis in organizational development.
Sindy L. Craig, JD, LLM, Jewish Community Federation & Endowment Fund
Sindy L. Craig, J.D., LL.M., is the senior director of planned giving & endowment funds at The Jewish Community Federation & Endowment Fund of San Francisco. Sindy is a passionate charitable gift planner and director of planned giving who enjoys working with donors and families to create and implement current and future giving plans. Sindy has 25+ years of non-profit experience and diverse major and planned giving fundraising experience within higher education, health care, and community foundation fundraising environments. In her current position, Sindy oversees legacy, endowment and nonprofit fund programs, utilizing a variety of gift vehicles and structures to help donors accomplish their charitable goals. Previously, Sindy led legacy and endowment fundraising efforts at The San Francisco Foundation, one of the country’s oldest and largest community foundations and has led integrated major and planned giving efforts during Campaign initiatives ($250 million to $2.5 billion) for The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and the University’s (7) Health Science Colleges; Kenyon College; and the University of Vermont. Sindy began her gift planning tenure at Middlebury College. Sindy is a graduate of Bowling Green State University; earned her J.D. degree from the University of Oklahoma; and an LL.M. in taxation from the University of Washington. Sindy is a (emeritus) board member of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners and currently serves on the board the Northern California Planned Giving Council and as chair of its Planned Giving Basics Course. She is a past Board member and chair of the education committee of the Central Ohio Planned Giving Council. Sindy is a member of the state bars of Oklahoma and Washington and a leader within the Junior League of San Francisco.
Sindy L. Craig, J.D., LL.M., is the senior director of planned giving & endowment funds at The Jewish Community Federation & Endowment Fund of San Francisco. Sindy is a passionate charitable gift planner and director of planned giving who enjoys working with donors and families to create and implement current and future giving plans. Sindy has 25+ years of non-profit experience and diverse major and planned giving fundraising experience within higher education, health care, and community foundation fundraising environments. In her current position, Sindy oversees legacy, endowment and nonprofit fund programs, utilizing a variety of gift vehicles and structures to help donors accomplish their charitable goals. Previously, Sindy led legacy and endowment fundraising efforts at The San Francisco Foundation, one of the country’s oldest and largest community foundations and has led integrated major and planned giving efforts during Campaign initiatives ($250 million to $2.5 billion) for The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and the University’s (7) Health Science Colleges; Kenyon College; and the University of Vermont. Sindy began her gift planning tenure at Middlebury College. Sindy is a graduate of Bowling Green State University; earned her J.D. degree from the University of Oklahoma; and an LL.M. in taxation from the University of Washington. Sindy is a (emeritus) board member of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners and currently serves on the board the Northern California Planned Giving Council and as chair of its Planned Giving Basics Course. She is a past Board member and chair of the education committee of the Central Ohio Planned Giving Council. Sindy is a member of the state bars of Oklahoma and Washington and a leader within the Junior League of San Francisco.
John Czerwionka, CAIA, Regional Director, Foundation & Institutional Advisors West Region, Northern Trust
John Czerwionka is a Regional Director for our Foundation & Institutional Advisors practice in San Francisco. In this role, John partners with foundations, endowments, and nonprofit healthcare organizations in developing comprehensive, customized and innovative financial solutions to meet the organizations’ goals. Prior to joining Northern Trust in 2009, John served as an investment consultant at Fidelity Investments and John Hancock. John is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, where he studied Economics and Political Science, and has an MBA from the University of Chicago with concentrations in Analytic Finance and Economics. He also holds the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation.
John Czerwionka is a Regional Director for our Foundation & Institutional Advisors practice in San Francisco. In this role, John partners with foundations, endowments, and nonprofit healthcare organizations in developing comprehensive, customized and innovative financial solutions to meet the organizations’ goals. Prior to joining Northern Trust in 2009, John served as an investment consultant at Fidelity Investments and John Hancock. John is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, where he studied Economics and Political Science, and has an MBA from the University of Chicago with concentrations in Analytic Finance and Economics. He also holds the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation.
Erik Dryburgh, Principal, Adler & Colvin
Erik Dryburgh is a principal in the law firm of Adler & Colvin, a law firm specializing in representing nonprofit organizations and their donors. He has an undergraduate business degree from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, and earned his J.D. at the University of California at Berkeley, Boalt Hall. He is also a Certified Public Accountant (inactive). Erik’s areas of expertise include charitable gift planning, not-for-profit organizations, donor-advised funds and endowments. Erik has authored the chapter “Charitable Remainder Trusts,” in California Estate Planning, Continuing Education of the Bar (2002) and published numerous articles on charitable gift planning. Erik is the immediate past Chair of the Charitable Planning and Exempt Organizations Committee of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), and a member of the American Bar Association’s Real Property, Trust and Estate Section. He is a past Board member of the Partnership for Philanthropic Planning (formerly NCPG), the San Francisco Estate Planning Council, and the Northern California Planned Giving Council. Erik received the 2005 Phil Hoffmire Service Award from the Northern California Planned Giving Council.
Erik Dryburgh is a principal in the law firm of Adler & Colvin, a law firm specializing in representing nonprofit organizations and their donors. He has an undergraduate business degree from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, and earned his J.D. at the University of California at Berkeley, Boalt Hall. He is also a Certified Public Accountant (inactive). Erik’s areas of expertise include charitable gift planning, not-for-profit organizations, donor-advised funds and endowments. Erik has authored the chapter “Charitable Remainder Trusts,” in California Estate Planning, Continuing Education of the Bar (2002) and published numerous articles on charitable gift planning. Erik is the immediate past Chair of the Charitable Planning and Exempt Organizations Committee of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), and a member of the American Bar Association’s Real Property, Trust and Estate Section. He is a past Board member of the Partnership for Philanthropic Planning (formerly NCPG), the San Francisco Estate Planning Council, and the Northern California Planned Giving Council. Erik received the 2005 Phil Hoffmire Service Award from the Northern California Planned Giving Council.
Patrick Everett, CFA, CAIA, CIMA, Chief Investment Officer, Foundation & Institutional Advisors West Region, Northern Trust
Patrick Everett is Chief Investment Officer in Northern Trust’s Foundation & Institutional Advisors West Region where his primary responsibilities include serving as an advisor to institutional clients on comprehensive wealth management strategies. Pat also supervises the investment activities of Northern Trust’s investment professionals who serve clients in the Western US. Since joining Northern Trust in 1996, Pat has had other responsibilities including; Managing Director of Wealth Advisory Services in Los Angeles; President of the Dallas Region where he was responsible for the company's wealth management business and President and Chief Executive Officer of Northern Trust Bank, FSB where he had the responsibility for the bank's business in the State of Nevada. With over 30 years of wealth management experience, he has served as a strategic advisor for individuals and institutions and as a manager of a broad range of investments including equity and fixed income securities and investments in real estate, natural resource properties and entrepreneurial ventures. Prior to joining Northern Trust, Pat was a partner in a privately-held investment company specializing in managing wealth for affluent families, where he was responsible for the firm's investment strategy and asset management. Pat received a B.A. degree with honors from the University of California at Los Angeles and a MBA degree from its Graduate School of Management. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) and the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) designations and is a member of the CFA Institute, the Los Angeles Society of Financial Analysts, The Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association and the Investment Management Consultants Association.
Patrick Everett is Chief Investment Officer in Northern Trust’s Foundation & Institutional Advisors West Region where his primary responsibilities include serving as an advisor to institutional clients on comprehensive wealth management strategies. Pat also supervises the investment activities of Northern Trust’s investment professionals who serve clients in the Western US. Since joining Northern Trust in 1996, Pat has had other responsibilities including; Managing Director of Wealth Advisory Services in Los Angeles; President of the Dallas Region where he was responsible for the company's wealth management business and President and Chief Executive Officer of Northern Trust Bank, FSB where he had the responsibility for the bank's business in the State of Nevada. With over 30 years of wealth management experience, he has served as a strategic advisor for individuals and institutions and as a manager of a broad range of investments including equity and fixed income securities and investments in real estate, natural resource properties and entrepreneurial ventures. Prior to joining Northern Trust, Pat was a partner in a privately-held investment company specializing in managing wealth for affluent families, where he was responsible for the firm's investment strategy and asset management. Pat received a B.A. degree with honors from the University of California at Los Angeles and a MBA degree from its Graduate School of Management. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) and the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) designations and is a member of the CFA Institute, the Los Angeles Society of Financial Analysts, The Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association and the Investment Management Consultants Association.
Michael Gast, Fundraising Consultant and Donor Organizer
Michael Gast is a social justice donor organizer and fundraiser. Michael got his start with Resource Generation (RG) in
2002 when he attended his first Making Money Make Change Retreat. Since then, he has organized thousands of young people with wealth to use their resources and privilege in support of equity and justice, moving millions of dollars towards social change causes nationally and internationally. He spent 6.5 years as a staff person with RG, first as Family Philanthropy Coordinator, organizing young people involved in their families' funds, and then as Co-Director and Associate Director. Since leaving RG in 2014, Michael has been Interim Development Director at generative somatics (gs) and with Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) as well as a development consultant with both Thousand Currents and Chinese Progressive Association.. In these positions, he has led highly successful individual donor campaigns, helped build major donor programs from the ground up, and supported and trained leaders in making successful individual fundraising asks. Currently, Michael is working with Justice Funders to help East Bay Community Foundation develop a new model for progressive donor organizing inside a community foundation. Michael is a 5th generation San Franciscan, and lives in Oakland with his wife and three year old son. He loves basketball, neighborhood walks, using power tools and porches.
Michael Gast is a social justice donor organizer and fundraiser. Michael got his start with Resource Generation (RG) in
2002 when he attended his first Making Money Make Change Retreat. Since then, he has organized thousands of young people with wealth to use their resources and privilege in support of equity and justice, moving millions of dollars towards social change causes nationally and internationally. He spent 6.5 years as a staff person with RG, first as Family Philanthropy Coordinator, organizing young people involved in their families' funds, and then as Co-Director and Associate Director. Since leaving RG in 2014, Michael has been Interim Development Director at generative somatics (gs) and with Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) as well as a development consultant with both Thousand Currents and Chinese Progressive Association.. In these positions, he has led highly successful individual donor campaigns, helped build major donor programs from the ground up, and supported and trained leaders in making successful individual fundraising asks. Currently, Michael is working with Justice Funders to help East Bay Community Foundation develop a new model for progressive donor organizing inside a community foundation. Michael is a 5th generation San Franciscan, and lives in Oakland with his wife and three year old son. He loves basketball, neighborhood walks, using power tools and porches.
David B. Gillig, FAHP, Senior Consultant & Principal, Marts & Lundy
David Gillig joined Marts and Lundy in February 2013 with 31 years of experience in philanthropy and marketing communications. For nearly 20 years David served as Senior Vice President & Foundation Executive Director at Rady Children’s Hospital – San Diego with leadership responsibilities for philanthropy, volunteer services and hospital-wide marketing communications. In 2006, he led efforts to secure what was then the second largest gift to a children’s hospital in history -- $60 million – which resulted in the naming of the hospital for the Rady family. Prior to Rady Children’s, David served as Vice President of Development for Scripps Memorial Hospitals in La Jolla, California. In 1993, he became Senior Vice President of the newly formed Scripps Foundation for Medicine & Science, the philanthropic arm of Scripps Clinic, Scripps Memorial Hospitals, and The Scripps Research Institute. Since 1999, he has served on the faculty of the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP) Institute for Healthcare Philanthropy at the University of Wisconsin and as the Dean of Fundraising Management. David also serves on the Marts & Lundy Board of Directors. In 2016, the AHP presented David with its highest honor – the Si Seymour Award.
David Gillig joined Marts and Lundy in February 2013 with 31 years of experience in philanthropy and marketing communications. For nearly 20 years David served as Senior Vice President & Foundation Executive Director at Rady Children’s Hospital – San Diego with leadership responsibilities for philanthropy, volunteer services and hospital-wide marketing communications. In 2006, he led efforts to secure what was then the second largest gift to a children’s hospital in history -- $60 million – which resulted in the naming of the hospital for the Rady family. Prior to Rady Children’s, David served as Vice President of Development for Scripps Memorial Hospitals in La Jolla, California. In 1993, he became Senior Vice President of the newly formed Scripps Foundation for Medicine & Science, the philanthropic arm of Scripps Clinic, Scripps Memorial Hospitals, and The Scripps Research Institute. Since 1999, he has served on the faculty of the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP) Institute for Healthcare Philanthropy at the University of Wisconsin and as the Dean of Fundraising Management. David also serves on the Marts & Lundy Board of Directors. In 2016, the AHP presented David with its highest honor – the Si Seymour Award.
Don Gottesman, JD, LLM (Tax)
Don Gottesman has worked as a lawyer, development officer, and educator. With more than twenty years of experience in charitable giving and tax, he has considerable expertise working with a broad range of charitable gifts. Don most recently served as the Director of Planned Giving at Silicon Valley Community Foundation. At SVCF, Don supervised its charitable trust, gift annuity and bequest programs. Don also served as a Senior Development Officer for more than six years at California Community Foundation. At CCF, Don partnered with advisors on a wide range of complex gifts, including gifts of closely-held C and S Corp stock, LLC interests, and real estate. He authored three white papers to help advisors discuss issues and alternatives to private foundations. Don also served as the Senior Consultant, Gift Planning and Tax at TIAA-Kaspick. His duties included consulting with staff, clients, and advisors to resolve gift planning, gift administration, and tax issues for clients. He often developed internal policies and procedures for gift administration and participated in efforts to influence legislation at the state and federal levels. Don also practiced law for over 10 years where he specialized in estate planning and business law. He was an adjunct faculty member at The John Marshall Law School’s Graduate Center for Tax Law for five years, where he taught Taxation of Closely-Held Businesses. In addition, Don has made a long-standing commitment to the LGBT community. At CCF, Don established the Pride Committee and served as the co-lead of the annual Pride Luncheon for three years. During this time, he introduced his colleagues to the needs of LGBTQ foster and transition age youth, elderly, and the Trans Community. While at TIAA-Kaspick, Don participated in the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus’ bus tour to Proposition 8 strongholds in Northern and Central California. In private practice, Don raised awareness of estate planning issues for the LGBTQ community. He regularly made presentations at the annual conferences of the National Lesbian and Gay Lawyers Association and the American Bar Association. While serving as a Director of the Young Lawyers Section of the Chicago Bar Association, Don championed the formation of the GLBT Young Lawyers Committee to raise awareness of LGBTQ issues and provide networking and mentoring opportunities for young lawyers. He also served as a Director of the Chicago Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Illinois Steering Committee of Human Rights Campaign. Don, when in private practice, was a member of Lambda Legal’s Cooperating Attorney Network. Don received his J.D. and L.L.M. in Tax from Chicago-Kent College of Law and his B.A. in Humanities from Northwestern University.
Don Gottesman has worked as a lawyer, development officer, and educator. With more than twenty years of experience in charitable giving and tax, he has considerable expertise working with a broad range of charitable gifts. Don most recently served as the Director of Planned Giving at Silicon Valley Community Foundation. At SVCF, Don supervised its charitable trust, gift annuity and bequest programs. Don also served as a Senior Development Officer for more than six years at California Community Foundation. At CCF, Don partnered with advisors on a wide range of complex gifts, including gifts of closely-held C and S Corp stock, LLC interests, and real estate. He authored three white papers to help advisors discuss issues and alternatives to private foundations. Don also served as the Senior Consultant, Gift Planning and Tax at TIAA-Kaspick. His duties included consulting with staff, clients, and advisors to resolve gift planning, gift administration, and tax issues for clients. He often developed internal policies and procedures for gift administration and participated in efforts to influence legislation at the state and federal levels. Don also practiced law for over 10 years where he specialized in estate planning and business law. He was an adjunct faculty member at The John Marshall Law School’s Graduate Center for Tax Law for five years, where he taught Taxation of Closely-Held Businesses. In addition, Don has made a long-standing commitment to the LGBT community. At CCF, Don established the Pride Committee and served as the co-lead of the annual Pride Luncheon for three years. During this time, he introduced his colleagues to the needs of LGBTQ foster and transition age youth, elderly, and the Trans Community. While at TIAA-Kaspick, Don participated in the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus’ bus tour to Proposition 8 strongholds in Northern and Central California. In private practice, Don raised awareness of estate planning issues for the LGBTQ community. He regularly made presentations at the annual conferences of the National Lesbian and Gay Lawyers Association and the American Bar Association. While serving as a Director of the Young Lawyers Section of the Chicago Bar Association, Don championed the formation of the GLBT Young Lawyers Committee to raise awareness of LGBTQ issues and provide networking and mentoring opportunities for young lawyers. He also served as a Director of the Chicago Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Illinois Steering Committee of Human Rights Campaign. Don, when in private practice, was a member of Lambda Legal’s Cooperating Attorney Network. Don received his J.D. and L.L.M. in Tax from Chicago-Kent College of Law and his B.A. in Humanities from Northwestern University.
Erin Hastings, Audit Partner, Seiler LLP
Erin is a Certified Public Accountant and Audit Partner with Seiler, LLP. Erin has been providing audit and advisory services to private foundations, non-profit organizations, and privately-held companies since 2001. She is the leader of Seiler’s San Francisco audit practice and one of the firm’s most experienced non-profit specialists. She holds expertise with audits and reviews for private foundations and non-profit organizations, corporate governance matters, internal controls reviews and best practices consulting, temporary accounting and reporting oversight, and fraud examinations. Erin works with some of the firm’s largest private foundations, trusts, and other charitable organizations with complex investments structures and agreements. She also advises family offices on accounting policies and procedures, and internal control matters. She serves on the boards and committees of several non-profit organizations in Northern California, including the Stern Grove Festival Association, Contemporary Jewish Museum, and Headlands Center for the Arts, Sausalito. She is a former board member for the CALCPA San Francisco Chapter, and served on the Finance Committee for the Marin Symphony Association. She is also an active volunteer with the French American International School in San Francisco. Prior to joining Seiler, Erin was a senior manager at Scott B. Price & Company. She started her career as an accountant at a big four firm, and she holds a Bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. In addition to being a CPA, Erin is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), and is a member of the AICPA, CalCPA, and Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.
Erin is a Certified Public Accountant and Audit Partner with Seiler, LLP. Erin has been providing audit and advisory services to private foundations, non-profit organizations, and privately-held companies since 2001. She is the leader of Seiler’s San Francisco audit practice and one of the firm’s most experienced non-profit specialists. She holds expertise with audits and reviews for private foundations and non-profit organizations, corporate governance matters, internal controls reviews and best practices consulting, temporary accounting and reporting oversight, and fraud examinations. Erin works with some of the firm’s largest private foundations, trusts, and other charitable organizations with complex investments structures and agreements. She also advises family offices on accounting policies and procedures, and internal control matters. She serves on the boards and committees of several non-profit organizations in Northern California, including the Stern Grove Festival Association, Contemporary Jewish Museum, and Headlands Center for the Arts, Sausalito. She is a former board member for the CALCPA San Francisco Chapter, and served on the Finance Committee for the Marin Symphony Association. She is also an active volunteer with the French American International School in San Francisco. Prior to joining Seiler, Erin was a senior manager at Scott B. Price & Company. She started her career as an accountant at a big four firm, and she holds a Bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. In addition to being a CPA, Erin is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), and is a member of the AICPA, CalCPA, and Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.
Debra Holcomb, M.Ed., Director Planned Giving & Data Services, Yosemite Conservancy
A national park enthusiast, Debra Holcomb, M.Ed., works with very talented colleagues, enthusiastic volunteers and generous supporters at the only philanthropic organization dedicated exclusively to the protection and preservation of Yosemite National Park and enrichment of the visitor experience. Although not typically combined together, she added planned giving to her database responsibilities three years ago and applied her previous experience in annual giving, alumni relations and data services to grow the Yosemite Conservancy Legacy Society to nearly 700 members today. She tapped into the NCPGC to learn the basics and has figured out how to navigate the planned-giving landscape without a law degree.
A national park enthusiast, Debra Holcomb, M.Ed., works with very talented colleagues, enthusiastic volunteers and generous supporters at the only philanthropic organization dedicated exclusively to the protection and preservation of Yosemite National Park and enrichment of the visitor experience. Although not typically combined together, she added planned giving to her database responsibilities three years ago and applied her previous experience in annual giving, alumni relations and data services to grow the Yosemite Conservancy Legacy Society to nearly 700 members today. She tapped into the NCPGC to learn the basics and has figured out how to navigate the planned-giving landscape without a law degree.
Marjory Kaplan, Consultant, Retired President and CEO, Jewish Community Foundation San Diego
Marjory held the Miriam and Jerome Katzin Presidential Chair at the Jewish Community Foundation in San Diego from 1994 to 2016. During her tenure, the Foundation awarded $1 billion in grants to the Jewish and general community and became the largest grantmaker in the county. During her tenure, the Foundation received the first award ever given by the University of San Diego for Excellence in Nonprofit Governance. Marjory credits the success of the Foundation to a positive, productive workplace culture. As one of its most successful ventures, the Foundation pioneered an ongoing endowment building program for San Diego Jewish community agencies, schools and synagogues that has resulted in over $70 million in cash endowments and another $180+ million in planned gifts. This model is now being replicated in 50 communities across the United States by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation through their Life and Legacy Program. Before joining the JCF, Marjory was a Director of Development at Scripps Foundation in La Jolla. Her early career centered in the corporate world where she held vice president positions in human resources and investments. She retired from the Jewish Community Foundation in 2016 and now consults with non-profits and serves on a corporate board.
Marjory held the Miriam and Jerome Katzin Presidential Chair at the Jewish Community Foundation in San Diego from 1994 to 2016. During her tenure, the Foundation awarded $1 billion in grants to the Jewish and general community and became the largest grantmaker in the county. During her tenure, the Foundation received the first award ever given by the University of San Diego for Excellence in Nonprofit Governance. Marjory credits the success of the Foundation to a positive, productive workplace culture. As one of its most successful ventures, the Foundation pioneered an ongoing endowment building program for San Diego Jewish community agencies, schools and synagogues that has resulted in over $70 million in cash endowments and another $180+ million in planned gifts. This model is now being replicated in 50 communities across the United States by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation through their Life and Legacy Program. Before joining the JCF, Marjory was a Director of Development at Scripps Foundation in La Jolla. Her early career centered in the corporate world where she held vice president positions in human resources and investments. She retired from the Jewish Community Foundation in 2016 and now consults with non-profits and serves on a corporate board.
Steve Lew, Program Director, CompassPoint Nonprofit Services
Steve Lew is a certified professional coach and project director at CompassPoint. Through coaching, he supports social justice leaders create their own sustainable path in organizational fundraising, governance, strategy, staying grounded in their values. Steve was CompassPoint’s development director and a senior manager for several years, and previously served as executive director and development director in HIV and cultural arts nonprofits in San Francisco. He loves working with social justice leaders as they discover their power to raise money and build stronger relationships of support. Steve’s work at CompassPoint has been deeply connected to building the strength of organizations, leaders, and networks in communities of color. He has co-designed and led CompassPoints’ Fundraising Academy for Communities of Color and the Next Generation Leaders of Color Program and has been a fundraising and leadership coach for many of these participants for over a decade. Steve is a volunteer fundraiser and coach with API Equality No. California, the Chinese Progressive Association and the Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training.
Steve Lew is a certified professional coach and project director at CompassPoint. Through coaching, he supports social justice leaders create their own sustainable path in organizational fundraising, governance, strategy, staying grounded in their values. Steve was CompassPoint’s development director and a senior manager for several years, and previously served as executive director and development director in HIV and cultural arts nonprofits in San Francisco. He loves working with social justice leaders as they discover their power to raise money and build stronger relationships of support. Steve’s work at CompassPoint has been deeply connected to building the strength of organizations, leaders, and networks in communities of color. He has co-designed and led CompassPoints’ Fundraising Academy for Communities of Color and the Next Generation Leaders of Color Program and has been a fundraising and leadership coach for many of these participants for over a decade. Steve is a volunteer fundraiser and coach with API Equality No. California, the Chinese Progressive Association and the Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training.
Karl Mill, Associate, Adler & Colvin
Karl Mill is an Associate at Adler & Colvin. His practice focuses on the representation of a wide variety of nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations, including both public charities and private foundations, with a particular emphasis on charitable gift planning, federal tax law, and social enterprise. Before joining Adler & Colvin, Mr. Mill was an associate in the trusts and estates department of DLA Piper LLP in San Diego, where his practice focused primarily on estate planning and federal estate, gift, and generation-skipping-transfer taxation. Mr. Mill has served as Chair of Taxation Section’s Tax Exempt Organization Committee; Member of Trusts and Estates Section. He is also a member of the American Bar Association (Exempt Organizations Committee of the Tax Law Section). He earned his B.A. in Philosophy from Marist College, his M.A. in Education from University of Mississippi, and his J.D. from Columbia University.
Karl Mill is an Associate at Adler & Colvin. His practice focuses on the representation of a wide variety of nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations, including both public charities and private foundations, with a particular emphasis on charitable gift planning, federal tax law, and social enterprise. Before joining Adler & Colvin, Mr. Mill was an associate in the trusts and estates department of DLA Piper LLP in San Diego, where his practice focused primarily on estate planning and federal estate, gift, and generation-skipping-transfer taxation. Mr. Mill has served as Chair of Taxation Section’s Tax Exempt Organization Committee; Member of Trusts and Estates Section. He is also a member of the American Bar Association (Exempt Organizations Committee of the Tax Law Section). He earned his B.A. in Philosophy from Marist College, his M.A. in Education from University of Mississippi, and his J.D. from Columbia University.
David Wheeler Newman, Chair, Charitable Sector Practice, Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp, LLP
David Newman chairs the Charitable Sector Practice Group at the Los Angeles law firm of Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP. For what seems to him like forever he has advised families and individuals concerning their foundations and other philanthropy, as well as charitable organizations and their donors on the legal and tax aspects of planned giving. He also advises these organizations on transactional and governance matters. David is a former board member of both the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (formerly the Partnership for Philanthropic Planning) and the American Council on Gift Annuities. David received the Dana Latham Award from the Los Angeles County Bar Tax Section, for lifetime achievement in the field of taxation, and he volunteers for the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, because it makes him crazy that hundreds of thousands of residents of a wealthy metropolis lack food security. He serves on the board of the California Community Foundation.
David Newman chairs the Charitable Sector Practice Group at the Los Angeles law firm of Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP. For what seems to him like forever he has advised families and individuals concerning their foundations and other philanthropy, as well as charitable organizations and their donors on the legal and tax aspects of planned giving. He also advises these organizations on transactional and governance matters. David is a former board member of both the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (formerly the Partnership for Philanthropic Planning) and the American Council on Gift Annuities. David received the Dana Latham Award from the Los Angeles County Bar Tax Section, for lifetime achievement in the field of taxation, and he volunteers for the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, because it makes him crazy that hundreds of thousands of residents of a wealthy metropolis lack food security. He serves on the board of the California Community Foundation.
Christopher K. Pegg, Senior Vice President, Senior Director of Planning, Wells Fargo Wealth Management
Chris is the Senior Director of Planning for the California and Nevada region of Wells Fargo Private Bank. Mr. Pegg leads a team of 30 wealth planning managers, strategists and planners who develop and implement custom wealth plans for clients based on a thorough understanding of each client’s personal values and vision for their legacy. Chris speaks and writes frequently on matters relating to tax law and wealth planning and has been quoted on multiple occasions in the New York Times and other national publications. Prior to joining Wells Fargo, Mr. Pegg focused on the needs of high net- worth clients in private practice. This representation included business succession, complex estate planning techniques, charitable giving and probate matters as well as income taxation, corporate and partnership taxation, business entity formation and asset protection. Chris also ran a Family Office for a real estate development group for a number of years structuring asset protection and business succession techniques as well as estate planning vehicles for the owners and their families. Mr. Pegg earned a Master of Laws in Taxation from the University of Florida and is Board Certified in the area of Tax Law. Chris is also a Certified Financial Planner TM Professional. Chris lives in Solana Beach, California with his wife and three children.
Chris is the Senior Director of Planning for the California and Nevada region of Wells Fargo Private Bank. Mr. Pegg leads a team of 30 wealth planning managers, strategists and planners who develop and implement custom wealth plans for clients based on a thorough understanding of each client’s personal values and vision for their legacy. Chris speaks and writes frequently on matters relating to tax law and wealth planning and has been quoted on multiple occasions in the New York Times and other national publications. Prior to joining Wells Fargo, Mr. Pegg focused on the needs of high net- worth clients in private practice. This representation included business succession, complex estate planning techniques, charitable giving and probate matters as well as income taxation, corporate and partnership taxation, business entity formation and asset protection. Chris also ran a Family Office for a real estate development group for a number of years structuring asset protection and business succession techniques as well as estate planning vehicles for the owners and their families. Mr. Pegg earned a Master of Laws in Taxation from the University of Florida and is Board Certified in the area of Tax Law. Chris is also a Certified Financial Planner TM Professional. Chris lives in Solana Beach, California with his wife and three children.
Katrina Pipasts, CSPG, National Director of Planned Giving Services, Northern Trust
Katrina M. Pipasts is the National Director of Planned Giving Services in the Foundation & Institutional Advisors practice at Northern Trust in Chicago. She is responsible for the gift administration and investment strategy implementation for charitable gift annuity funds and charitable remainder trusts for institutional clients. She works with a variety of nonprofits to develop and implement best practices for successful planned giving programs. Katrina has serviced Planned Giving clients for the past 15 years and has 30 years of investment management experience. She began her career at ANB Investment Management and joined Northern Trust as a senior equity index portfolio manager. Prior to her current position, Katrina served as a Team Leader overseeing a team of portfolio managers managing pension, foundation and endowment assets in customized equity index portfolios. Katrina received her B.S. degree in Mathematics and Statistics from the University of Western Ontario and her B.B.A. in accountancy from Western Michigan University. She earned her Certified Specialist in Planned Giving (CSPG) designation at the American Institute for Philanthropic Studies at California State University Long Beach. She is the President of the Board of Directors of Brickton Montessori School, Member and Past Treasurer of the Chicago Council on Planned Giving, Member of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners and the American Council on Gift Annuities, and Former Treasurer of the Park Ridge Juniors Foundation. Born and raised in Canada, she is an avid hockey fan. Katrina is fluent in Latvian and enjoys volunteering at charity benefits and travelling abroad with her family.
Katrina M. Pipasts is the National Director of Planned Giving Services in the Foundation & Institutional Advisors practice at Northern Trust in Chicago. She is responsible for the gift administration and investment strategy implementation for charitable gift annuity funds and charitable remainder trusts for institutional clients. She works with a variety of nonprofits to develop and implement best practices for successful planned giving programs. Katrina has serviced Planned Giving clients for the past 15 years and has 30 years of investment management experience. She began her career at ANB Investment Management and joined Northern Trust as a senior equity index portfolio manager. Prior to her current position, Katrina served as a Team Leader overseeing a team of portfolio managers managing pension, foundation and endowment assets in customized equity index portfolios. Katrina received her B.S. degree in Mathematics and Statistics from the University of Western Ontario and her B.B.A. in accountancy from Western Michigan University. She earned her Certified Specialist in Planned Giving (CSPG) designation at the American Institute for Philanthropic Studies at California State University Long Beach. She is the President of the Board of Directors of Brickton Montessori School, Member and Past Treasurer of the Chicago Council on Planned Giving, Member of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners and the American Council on Gift Annuities, and Former Treasurer of the Park Ridge Juniors Foundation. Born and raised in Canada, she is an avid hockey fan. Katrina is fluent in Latvian and enjoys volunteering at charity benefits and travelling abroad with her family.
Paul Remack, Founder, Remack Associates, Inc.
Paul entered the financial industry in 1981. Prior to his entry he was Executive Vice President for a publishing company in San Francisco. He started his career with Connecticut General, later Cigna, located in San Francisco. Paul was awarded a Masters in Taxation from Golden Gate University in 1992. He also has earned a Bachelors of Arts with Honors from Bradley University and a Masters in History from the University of Southern California. In 2014, Paul became a Certified Professional Fiduciary with the state of California. He holds a CFP designation, awarded in 1987. Paul has been a featured speaker at the San Mateo Bar Association, East Bay Financial Planning Council, Tri-Valley Financial Planning Council and the Regional FPA (Financial Planning Association) Conference. Paul has just published his first book, Playing the Game: Create Your Legacy and Preserve Your Estate for Future Generations, in December 2017. He currently offers fiduciary services through Remack Associates, Inc. with his Associate, Michelle Prato-Scott. Paul lives in Walnut Creek, California with his wife Linda. He enjoys reading, cooking, foreign travel, and Cal football, basketball, and rugby (GO BEARS!)
Paul entered the financial industry in 1981. Prior to his entry he was Executive Vice President for a publishing company in San Francisco. He started his career with Connecticut General, later Cigna, located in San Francisco. Paul was awarded a Masters in Taxation from Golden Gate University in 1992. He also has earned a Bachelors of Arts with Honors from Bradley University and a Masters in History from the University of Southern California. In 2014, Paul became a Certified Professional Fiduciary with the state of California. He holds a CFP designation, awarded in 1987. Paul has been a featured speaker at the San Mateo Bar Association, East Bay Financial Planning Council, Tri-Valley Financial Planning Council and the Regional FPA (Financial Planning Association) Conference. Paul has just published his first book, Playing the Game: Create Your Legacy and Preserve Your Estate for Future Generations, in December 2017. He currently offers fiduciary services through Remack Associates, Inc. with his Associate, Michelle Prato-Scott. Paul lives in Walnut Creek, California with his wife Linda. He enjoys reading, cooking, foreign travel, and Cal football, basketball, and rugby (GO BEARS!)
Lita Reyes, Principal, Reyes Philanthropic Solutions
Lita Reyes advises individuals and families on comprehensive philanthropic planning with a special emphasis on millennial engagement. She has extensive experience working in charitable organizations, including private foundations and public charities, where she collaborates with ultra-high net worth philanthropists ranging from many millions to over a billion. In her consulting practice, Lita counsels clients on philanthropic identity, charitable giving plans, grants evaluation and disbursements, nonprofit program analysis, strategic thinking, and mission-driven partner engagement. A certified philanthropic advisor, Lita draws on a broad academic and professional record that includes work on climate change, social justice, and healthy communities. She holds an MBA and brings both a business perspective and cultural background to her clients, having served as a judge with the National Endowment for the Arts. Through her work with the NEA, Lita has influenced funding decisions that effectively serve youth and uphold the quality of American art. A strong believer in partnerships, Lita belongs to a network of women entrepreneurs committed to making a difference through positive social change.
Lita Reyes advises individuals and families on comprehensive philanthropic planning with a special emphasis on millennial engagement. She has extensive experience working in charitable organizations, including private foundations and public charities, where she collaborates with ultra-high net worth philanthropists ranging from many millions to over a billion. In her consulting practice, Lita counsels clients on philanthropic identity, charitable giving plans, grants evaluation and disbursements, nonprofit program analysis, strategic thinking, and mission-driven partner engagement. A certified philanthropic advisor, Lita draws on a broad academic and professional record that includes work on climate change, social justice, and healthy communities. She holds an MBA and brings both a business perspective and cultural background to her clients, having served as a judge with the National Endowment for the Arts. Through her work with the NEA, Lita has influenced funding decisions that effectively serve youth and uphold the quality of American art. A strong believer in partnerships, Lita belongs to a network of women entrepreneurs committed to making a difference through positive social change.
Barbara Rhomberg, J.D., Partner, Kavanagh Rhomberg LLP
Barbara Rhomberg is partner of Kavanagh Rhomberg LLP, a Northern California law firm that represents nonprofit organizations and their charitable donors on the unique legal issues of the nonprofit sector, including forming nonprofit organizations and obtaining tax-exempt status, planned and charitable giving, limits on lobbying campaign intervention for exempt organizations, grant compliance, endowments and donor-restricted funds, and nonprofit corporate governance. Before launching her own practice, Barbara was an attorney in the University of California’s Office of General Counsel, where she represented the University on charitable giving matters and advised on the use of endowment funds. She also practiced nonprofit and tax-exempt organization law at Adler & Colvin for six years, and worked as an adjunct professor at the University of San Francisco School of Law, where she taught a course on nonprofit organization law. She is a former board member and conference chair of the Northern California Planned Giving Council, and serves on the Nonprofit Organizations Committee of the Business Law Section of the California Lawyers Association.
Barbara Rhomberg is partner of Kavanagh Rhomberg LLP, a Northern California law firm that represents nonprofit organizations and their charitable donors on the unique legal issues of the nonprofit sector, including forming nonprofit organizations and obtaining tax-exempt status, planned and charitable giving, limits on lobbying campaign intervention for exempt organizations, grant compliance, endowments and donor-restricted funds, and nonprofit corporate governance. Before launching her own practice, Barbara was an attorney in the University of California’s Office of General Counsel, where she represented the University on charitable giving matters and advised on the use of endowment funds. She also practiced nonprofit and tax-exempt organization law at Adler & Colvin for six years, and worked as an adjunct professor at the University of San Francisco School of Law, where she taught a course on nonprofit organization law. She is a former board member and conference chair of the Northern California Planned Giving Council, and serves on the Nonprofit Organizations Committee of the Business Law Section of the California Lawyers Association.
Jessica Sananes, Planned Giving Officer, San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SF SPCA)
Overseeing the Planned Giving program at the San Francisco SPCA, Jessica Sananes has applied her teaching and social work background to working with donors. Prior to working at the SF SPCA Jessica started a Development Program at a small nonprofit organization, worked at an adoption agency and in schools. Jessica overseas the SF SPCA’s landmark Sido Program, the first shelter program in the nation to allow animal guardians to assure care for their pets should they pass. She also manages the SF SPCA Legacy Society, comprised of more than 650 members and growing. Although new to planned giving, Jessica is a multifaceted development pro who is inspired by the world of philanthropy as well as the donors with whom she works.
Overseeing the Planned Giving program at the San Francisco SPCA, Jessica Sananes has applied her teaching and social work background to working with donors. Prior to working at the SF SPCA Jessica started a Development Program at a small nonprofit organization, worked at an adoption agency and in schools. Jessica overseas the SF SPCA’s landmark Sido Program, the first shelter program in the nation to allow animal guardians to assure care for their pets should they pass. She also manages the SF SPCA Legacy Society, comprised of more than 650 members and growing. Although new to planned giving, Jessica is a multifaceted development pro who is inspired by the world of philanthropy as well as the donors with whom she works.
Kristina Schaefer, Senior Associate Dean for External Relations & International Programs, Sloan School of Management, M.I.T. Sloan School of Management
Kristina Schaefer joined MIT Sloan in 2011 as the Senior Associate Dean for External Relations and Global Programs. Kris has expertise in major and annual gift fundraising, information services, budget management, and event planning. Kris’ development experience also involved close collaboration with boards and volunteer organizations. Since coming to MIT Sloan, Kris has increased annual philanthropy from $18M to over $57M. From 1998-2010 Kris served as the Vice President of Advancement for Simmons College. Under her direction, The Dare to Imagine Campaign for Simmons raised 33% more than originally anticipated: with a $50M goal, the campaign concluded in 2004 with $69.3M raised. Prior to Simmons, Kris served as Vice President for Development and Director of Foundation Relations for Children’s Memorial Foundation in Chicago. Under her leadership, annual fundraising totals more than tripled in a three-year period from $7.6M to $25M. At Rice University, Kris was the Executive Director of Development and the Campaign Director for the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, where she led a $30M campaign to establish the Institute. Before joining Rice, Kris directed the annual fund at Texas Christian University. She launched her career at the University of Vermont.
Kristina Schaefer joined MIT Sloan in 2011 as the Senior Associate Dean for External Relations and Global Programs. Kris has expertise in major and annual gift fundraising, information services, budget management, and event planning. Kris’ development experience also involved close collaboration with boards and volunteer organizations. Since coming to MIT Sloan, Kris has increased annual philanthropy from $18M to over $57M. From 1998-2010 Kris served as the Vice President of Advancement for Simmons College. Under her direction, The Dare to Imagine Campaign for Simmons raised 33% more than originally anticipated: with a $50M goal, the campaign concluded in 2004 with $69.3M raised. Prior to Simmons, Kris served as Vice President for Development and Director of Foundation Relations for Children’s Memorial Foundation in Chicago. Under her leadership, annual fundraising totals more than tripled in a three-year period from $7.6M to $25M. At Rice University, Kris was the Executive Director of Development and the Campaign Director for the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, where she led a $30M campaign to establish the Institute. Before joining Rice, Kris directed the annual fund at Texas Christian University. She launched her career at the University of Vermont.
Emily Scott, Financial Navigator/Thinking Partner, Emily Scott AND
Emily started Emily Scott AND to fill the void of merging the technical side of money with the human side of money, especially during transition. She describes her role as a confidential guide and thought partner for her clients in the issues and challenges of legacy planning, financial prioritization and philanthropic direction, using a process Emily calls The Power of AND. Emily collaborates with other professionals to align core competencies for a robust client offering. Ms. Scott’s earlier professional career includes years on Wall Street, the retail industry, and marketing consulting. With Emily’s 30 years of personal experience in philanthropy, managing a family office, and helping people with death/dying decisions, she fully appreciates the nuances and pressures that having a high net worth can bring. In her personal life, Emily has been actively engaged in her philanthropy as a board member and grantor. Emily presented at TEDx Sonoma on philanthropy, authored Tails of Devotion, A Look at the Bond between People and Their Pets and has raised large sums of money for many causes and organizations. Ms. Scott has advised on and taught grant making, development, and board governance. She is a member of AiP (Advisors in Philanthropy), NCPGC (Nor Cal Planned Giving Council), PPI (Purposeful Planning Institute), and is training to be a certified Financial Transitionist. Emily holds an MBA from Cornell University, a BA in management from Simmons College, and is an alumna of The Philanthropy Workshop.
Emily started Emily Scott AND to fill the void of merging the technical side of money with the human side of money, especially during transition. She describes her role as a confidential guide and thought partner for her clients in the issues and challenges of legacy planning, financial prioritization and philanthropic direction, using a process Emily calls The Power of AND. Emily collaborates with other professionals to align core competencies for a robust client offering. Ms. Scott’s earlier professional career includes years on Wall Street, the retail industry, and marketing consulting. With Emily’s 30 years of personal experience in philanthropy, managing a family office, and helping people with death/dying decisions, she fully appreciates the nuances and pressures that having a high net worth can bring. In her personal life, Emily has been actively engaged in her philanthropy as a board member and grantor. Emily presented at TEDx Sonoma on philanthropy, authored Tails of Devotion, A Look at the Bond between People and Their Pets and has raised large sums of money for many causes and organizations. Ms. Scott has advised on and taught grant making, development, and board governance. She is a member of AiP (Advisors in Philanthropy), NCPGC (Nor Cal Planned Giving Council), PPI (Purposeful Planning Institute), and is training to be a certified Financial Transitionist. Emily holds an MBA from Cornell University, a BA in management from Simmons College, and is an alumna of The Philanthropy Workshop.
Elizabeth S. Sevilla, Partner, Seiler, LLP
Elizabeth has over 25 years experience. She has spent the vast majority of her career with individual taxation and is a leader in the firm’s Trusts & Estate practice. Over the past two decades, Elizabeth has worked closely with high net worth individuals, closely held business owners, corporate executives and partners of investment banking firms and venture capital firms.
Elizabeth holds expertise in the following disciplines:
- Individual and fiduciary income tax compliance and planning
- Estate, trust, gift and charitable planning
- Estate tax return preparation and post mortem funding
- Business succession
- Executive benefit planning
- Life insurance due diligence
Elizabeth has over 25 years experience. She has spent the vast majority of her career with individual taxation and is a leader in the firm’s Trusts & Estate practice. Over the past two decades, Elizabeth has worked closely with high net worth individuals, closely held business owners, corporate executives and partners of investment banking firms and venture capital firms.
Elizabeth holds expertise in the following disciplines:
- Individual and fiduciary income tax compliance and planning
- Estate, trust, gift and charitable planning
- Estate tax return preparation and post mortem funding
- Business succession
- Executive benefit planning
- Life insurance due diligence
Christopher Sickels, Chief Officer of Institutional Advancement, Buck Institute for Research on Aging
Executive level professional with 25+ years of experience managing comprehensive advancement programs for major academic medical centers and not-for-profit institutions. Demonstrated leadership in the development of complex programs including: major gift programs department advancement plans, comprehensive campaigns, government relations, international programs, endowments, strategic planning, marketing, and science & research initiatives. Expertise includes face-to-face major gift solicitation, superior written and verbal communication skills, knowledge of complex health and human service issues and a track-record of successfully working with multiple institutional constituents. Ability to work independently, manages multiple projects, develop team consensus and meet strict deadlines.
Executive level professional with 25+ years of experience managing comprehensive advancement programs for major academic medical centers and not-for-profit institutions. Demonstrated leadership in the development of complex programs including: major gift programs department advancement plans, comprehensive campaigns, government relations, international programs, endowments, strategic planning, marketing, and science & research initiatives. Expertise includes face-to-face major gift solicitation, superior written and verbal communication skills, knowledge of complex health and human service issues and a track-record of successfully working with multiple institutional constituents. Ability to work independently, manages multiple projects, develop team consensus and meet strict deadlines.
Lateefah Simon, President, Akonadi Foundation
Lateefah Simon is the President of Akonadi Foundation, which nurtures movement building to advance racial justice in Oakland. A nationally recognized advocate for civil rights, Lateefah brings over 20 years of executive experience advancing opportunities for communities of color and low-income communities in the Bay Area. Before joining Akonadi, she was Program Director for the San Francisco-based Rosenberg Foundation. Lateefah has received numerous awards for her work, including the MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship, the Jefferson Award for extraordinary public service, and in 2017 ‘Most Promising New Foundation President’ by Inside Philanthropy. Lateefah was elected to the Bart Board of Directors and Gov. Jerry Brown appointed her to the California State University’s Board of Trustees in 2016. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Tipping Point.
Lateefah Simon is the President of Akonadi Foundation, which nurtures movement building to advance racial justice in Oakland. A nationally recognized advocate for civil rights, Lateefah brings over 20 years of executive experience advancing opportunities for communities of color and low-income communities in the Bay Area. Before joining Akonadi, she was Program Director for the San Francisco-based Rosenberg Foundation. Lateefah has received numerous awards for her work, including the MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship, the Jefferson Award for extraordinary public service, and in 2017 ‘Most Promising New Foundation President’ by Inside Philanthropy. Lateefah was elected to the Bart Board of Directors and Gov. Jerry Brown appointed her to the California State University’s Board of Trustees in 2016. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Tipping Point.
Gaithiri Siva, Director of the Buen Vivir Fund, Thousand Currents
Gaithiri is a finance professional with over 15 years of progressive leadership experience in investments, management consulting, risk advisory, and operations. She played a key role in the North America expansion and diversification of a $40B Malaysian strategic investment fund into the technology sector, where she partnered with teams across North America and Asia to execute on critical strategic investment decisions. She has closed over $40M investments to-date and led diligence for numerous deals totaling over $300M. In previous roles, Gaithiri has consulted for the UN in Indonesia, Laos, and Myanmar, predominantly to improve reach and efficacy of spending. She led large teams under difficult conditions in these remote areas of Asia for the oversight of disaster-relief fund management and micro-financing for women. As a Malaysian of Indian origin, Gaithiri is familiar with ethnic discrimination and is very keen on closing the inequality gap, especially amongst minorities. She has a Bachelor of Accounting (Honors) degree and a CPA.
Gaithiri is a finance professional with over 15 years of progressive leadership experience in investments, management consulting, risk advisory, and operations. She played a key role in the North America expansion and diversification of a $40B Malaysian strategic investment fund into the technology sector, where she partnered with teams across North America and Asia to execute on critical strategic investment decisions. She has closed over $40M investments to-date and led diligence for numerous deals totaling over $300M. In previous roles, Gaithiri has consulted for the UN in Indonesia, Laos, and Myanmar, predominantly to improve reach and efficacy of spending. She led large teams under difficult conditions in these remote areas of Asia for the oversight of disaster-relief fund management and micro-financing for women. As a Malaysian of Indian origin, Gaithiri is familiar with ethnic discrimination and is very keen on closing the inequality gap, especially amongst minorities. She has a Bachelor of Accounting (Honors) degree and a CPA.
Linda Spuck, Principal, Linda Spuck Consulting
Linda is Principal of Linda Spuck Consulting, providing Effective, Actionable Advice to Maximize Philanthropy. She shares her passion for helping charities and foundations find the most effective ways to achieve their mission through fundraising counsel, legacy planning and strategic board governance. Ms. Spuck’s practice focuses on sharing best practices gleaned from observing and learning from hundreds of outstanding fundraisers and leaders and her personal experiences gained from over 20 years in the philanthropic sector. Until October 2017, Ms. Spuck served as a Senior Trust Officer at Union Bank, The Private Bank, specializing in charitable planning for individuals, families and non-profit organizations in accordance with sound fiduciary principles. Prior to joining Union Bank in 2004, Linda served in leadership positions at several non-profit organizations, including Director of Development for the San Diego Rescue Mission and the San Diego Historical Society. Linda received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Occidental College. She graduated from the National Planned Giving Institute in 2001, studying under legendary planned giving pioneer Robert F. Sharpe. She obtained the designation of Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA) from the Institute of Certified Bankers.
Linda is Principal of Linda Spuck Consulting, providing Effective, Actionable Advice to Maximize Philanthropy. She shares her passion for helping charities and foundations find the most effective ways to achieve their mission through fundraising counsel, legacy planning and strategic board governance. Ms. Spuck’s practice focuses on sharing best practices gleaned from observing and learning from hundreds of outstanding fundraisers and leaders and her personal experiences gained from over 20 years in the philanthropic sector. Until October 2017, Ms. Spuck served as a Senior Trust Officer at Union Bank, The Private Bank, specializing in charitable planning for individuals, families and non-profit organizations in accordance with sound fiduciary principles. Prior to joining Union Bank in 2004, Linda served in leadership positions at several non-profit organizations, including Director of Development for the San Diego Rescue Mission and the San Diego Historical Society. Linda received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Occidental College. She graduated from the National Planned Giving Institute in 2001, studying under legendary planned giving pioneer Robert F. Sharpe. She obtained the designation of Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA) from the Institute of Certified Bankers.
Nathan Stelter, Vice President, The Stelter Company
Nathan Stelter is vice president for The Stelter Company, a leading source for gift planning marketing for the nonprofit community. The Stelter Company, which was founded in 1962, currently serves more than 1,500 organizations nationally with a staff of over 100 individuals. The home office is located in Des Moines, Iowa, with regional representation in Dallas, Texas; Chicago, Ill.; Asheville, NC; Boston, MA; Washington, DC and Denver, Colo. While Nathan wears many hats at Stelter, his primary concentrations and passions include overseeing Stelter's consulting and marketing teams while working with his amazing leadership team to forge the way with new research, new innovations and smarter ways for charities to raise planned gifts. Over Nathan’s 18-year career in planned giving, he’s been fortunate to speak at over 100 national and regional industry meetings on planned giving marketing trends and cutting-edge donor and fundraising research. He’s been quoted in Planned Giving Today, Advancing Philanthropy and other trade publications and currently authors the highly successful Stelter Insights blog. Nathan currently serves on the board for the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners, he’s a past board member of the National Capital Gift Planning Council (Washington, DC) and a current member of the Mid-Iowa Planned Giving Council. Nathan is a graduate of the University of Iowa with a B.B.A. degree in marketing. When not at his Stelter desk, Nathan enjoys spending time with his growing family, CrossFit, playing soccer, bicycling and being a loyal Iowa Hawkeye, Cubs, Caps and ManU fan. He and his wife, Nora, relocated to Des Moines, Iowa, after spending eight years in Alexandria, Va. They are the proud parents of 12-year-old Benjamin Hawkeye, 8-year-old Brody and 6-year-old Brynn along with three Brussels Griffon puppies, Lola, Bubbles and Fergus.
Nathan Stelter is vice president for The Stelter Company, a leading source for gift planning marketing for the nonprofit community. The Stelter Company, which was founded in 1962, currently serves more than 1,500 organizations nationally with a staff of over 100 individuals. The home office is located in Des Moines, Iowa, with regional representation in Dallas, Texas; Chicago, Ill.; Asheville, NC; Boston, MA; Washington, DC and Denver, Colo. While Nathan wears many hats at Stelter, his primary concentrations and passions include overseeing Stelter's consulting and marketing teams while working with his amazing leadership team to forge the way with new research, new innovations and smarter ways for charities to raise planned gifts. Over Nathan’s 18-year career in planned giving, he’s been fortunate to speak at over 100 national and regional industry meetings on planned giving marketing trends and cutting-edge donor and fundraising research. He’s been quoted in Planned Giving Today, Advancing Philanthropy and other trade publications and currently authors the highly successful Stelter Insights blog. Nathan currently serves on the board for the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners, he’s a past board member of the National Capital Gift Planning Council (Washington, DC) and a current member of the Mid-Iowa Planned Giving Council. Nathan is a graduate of the University of Iowa with a B.B.A. degree in marketing. When not at his Stelter desk, Nathan enjoys spending time with his growing family, CrossFit, playing soccer, bicycling and being a loyal Iowa Hawkeye, Cubs, Caps and ManU fan. He and his wife, Nora, relocated to Des Moines, Iowa, after spending eight years in Alexandria, Va. They are the proud parents of 12-year-old Benjamin Hawkeye, 8-year-old Brody and 6-year-old Brynn along with three Brussels Griffon puppies, Lola, Bubbles and Fergus.
William Strickland, JD, CSPG, Gift Planning Officer, California Community Foundation
William Strickland, JD, CSPG, strengthens the communities of Los Angeles through effective philanthropy and civic engagement by working with CPAs, business managers, other trusted advisors and non-profit organizations through his duties as the Gift Planning Officer for the California Community Foundation (CCF). Prior to joining CCF, William served as the Associate Director of Gift Planning for The Nature Conservancy. He brings a proven ability to work with varied organizations and communities from his successful careers in finance as Vice President of Trust Administration at Bank of America and in the performing arts as a professional dancer. William is a graduate of the UC Davis School of Law, for which he formerly served as a board member of the King Hall Alumni Association. William also served as the 2012 President of the Partnership of Philanthropic Planning of Greater Los Angeles (PPP-LA), and he now serves on the board of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (NACGP).
William Strickland, JD, CSPG, strengthens the communities of Los Angeles through effective philanthropy and civic engagement by working with CPAs, business managers, other trusted advisors and non-profit organizations through his duties as the Gift Planning Officer for the California Community Foundation (CCF). Prior to joining CCF, William served as the Associate Director of Gift Planning for The Nature Conservancy. He brings a proven ability to work with varied organizations and communities from his successful careers in finance as Vice President of Trust Administration at Bank of America and in the performing arts as a professional dancer. William is a graduate of the UC Davis School of Law, for which he formerly served as a board member of the King Hall Alumni Association. William also served as the 2012 President of the Partnership of Philanthropic Planning of Greater Los Angeles (PPP-LA), and he now serves on the board of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (NACGP).
Gene Takagi, Principal, NEO Law Group
Gene Takagi is a Principal of NEO Law Group, contributing publisher of the Nonprofit Law Blog, and regular contributor for Nonprofit Radio. At NEO, Gene has represented over 700 nonprofit organizations on corporate, tax, and charitable trust law matters. Gene is a popular writer on nonprofit legal topics and has been published by The New York Times, The Nonprofit Quarterly, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Nonprofit Times, Taxation of Exempts, EO Tax Journal, and ALI-ABA. He is also a popular speaker who has presented at conferences for Independent Sector, BoardSource, the National Association of Attorneys General / National Association of State Charity Officials, CalNonprofits, Net Impact, the American Bar Association, the Western Conference on Tax Exempt Organizations (WCTEO), Georgetown Nonprofit Governance, the Northern California Planned Giving Council, the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors, and numerous bar and CPA associations. Gene's professional experiences are diverse: corporate attorney for Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP, adjunct professor for the University of San Francisco and St. Mary's University of Minnesota, director of the medical and behavior divisions of the San Francisco SPCA, and management consultant for Allders International. Gene, a graduate of UCLA School of Law and of USF's Master of Nonprofit Administration program, is a recipient of multiple awards for his work, including Outstanding Nonprofit Lawyer (Nonprofit Organizations Committee of the American Bar Association, 2016), Outstanding Barrister of the Year (Bar Association of San Francisco), and Northern California Super Lawyer (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018). He currently serves on the boards of CompassPoint and The Nonprofit Quarterly, the 2019 John Gardner Leadership Award Committee of Independent Sector, and the planning committee of the WCTEO. Gene previously served on the boards of Community Initiatives, Net Impact, JCYC, the Barristers Club of the Bar Association of San Francisco, and the public policy committee of Independent Sector.
Gene Takagi is a Principal of NEO Law Group, contributing publisher of the Nonprofit Law Blog, and regular contributor for Nonprofit Radio. At NEO, Gene has represented over 700 nonprofit organizations on corporate, tax, and charitable trust law matters. Gene is a popular writer on nonprofit legal topics and has been published by The New York Times, The Nonprofit Quarterly, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Nonprofit Times, Taxation of Exempts, EO Tax Journal, and ALI-ABA. He is also a popular speaker who has presented at conferences for Independent Sector, BoardSource, the National Association of Attorneys General / National Association of State Charity Officials, CalNonprofits, Net Impact, the American Bar Association, the Western Conference on Tax Exempt Organizations (WCTEO), Georgetown Nonprofit Governance, the Northern California Planned Giving Council, the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors, and numerous bar and CPA associations. Gene's professional experiences are diverse: corporate attorney for Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP, adjunct professor for the University of San Francisco and St. Mary's University of Minnesota, director of the medical and behavior divisions of the San Francisco SPCA, and management consultant for Allders International. Gene, a graduate of UCLA School of Law and of USF's Master of Nonprofit Administration program, is a recipient of multiple awards for his work, including Outstanding Nonprofit Lawyer (Nonprofit Organizations Committee of the American Bar Association, 2016), Outstanding Barrister of the Year (Bar Association of San Francisco), and Northern California Super Lawyer (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018). He currently serves on the boards of CompassPoint and The Nonprofit Quarterly, the 2019 John Gardner Leadership Award Committee of Independent Sector, and the planning committee of the WCTEO. Gene previously served on the boards of Community Initiatives, Net Impact, JCYC, the Barristers Club of the Bar Association of San Francisco, and the public policy committee of Independent Sector.
Michael D. Tubbs, Mayor of Stockton
On November 8, 2016, Michael Tubbs was elected to serve as the mayor of the City of Stockton, California. Upon taking office in January 2017, Michael Tubbs became both Stockton’s youngest mayor and the City’s first African-American mayor. Michael Tubbs is also the youngest mayor in the history of the country representing a city with a population of over 100,000 residents. Recognized as one of Politico’s Top 50, Fortune’s 2018, Top "40 under 40," Forbes' 2018 list of the “30 Under 30”, Tubbs’ leadership paired with an ambitious progressive agenda has received national recognition. In his first year, Mayor Michael Tubbs secured $20,000,000 to launch the Stockton Scholars, a place-based scholarship that aims to triple the number of Stockton students entering and graduating from college. Tubbs also brought Advance Peace to Stockton, a data driven program that works to reduce gun violence in communities. With an innovative public-private partnership supported by a $1,000,000 grant, Tubbs launched the nation’s first ever municipal level basic income pilot.
Before becoming mayor, Michael Tubbs served as Stockton's District 6 City Councilmember. Elected at age 22 in 2013, he became one of the youngest City Councilmembers in the country. As a councilmember, Tubbs created the Reinvent South Stockton Coalition, championed the creation of the City’s Office of Violence Prevention and was part of the council that led the city out of bankruptcy as Chair of the Audit and Legislative Committee. Mayor Tubbs graduated in 2012 from Stanford University with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree with honors. Mayor Tubbs is focused on poverty reduction, public safety, workforce development, community engagement and organizing, and collective impact strategies. Tubbs has been a college course instructor for Aspire Public Schools and a Fellow at the Stanford Institute of Design and the Emerson Collective.
On November 8, 2016, Michael Tubbs was elected to serve as the mayor of the City of Stockton, California. Upon taking office in January 2017, Michael Tubbs became both Stockton’s youngest mayor and the City’s first African-American mayor. Michael Tubbs is also the youngest mayor in the history of the country representing a city with a population of over 100,000 residents. Recognized as one of Politico’s Top 50, Fortune’s 2018, Top "40 under 40," Forbes' 2018 list of the “30 Under 30”, Tubbs’ leadership paired with an ambitious progressive agenda has received national recognition. In his first year, Mayor Michael Tubbs secured $20,000,000 to launch the Stockton Scholars, a place-based scholarship that aims to triple the number of Stockton students entering and graduating from college. Tubbs also brought Advance Peace to Stockton, a data driven program that works to reduce gun violence in communities. With an innovative public-private partnership supported by a $1,000,000 grant, Tubbs launched the nation’s first ever municipal level basic income pilot.
Before becoming mayor, Michael Tubbs served as Stockton's District 6 City Councilmember. Elected at age 22 in 2013, he became one of the youngest City Councilmembers in the country. As a councilmember, Tubbs created the Reinvent South Stockton Coalition, championed the creation of the City’s Office of Violence Prevention and was part of the council that led the city out of bankruptcy as Chair of the Audit and Legislative Committee. Mayor Tubbs graduated in 2012 from Stanford University with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree with honors. Mayor Tubbs is focused on poverty reduction, public safety, workforce development, community engagement and organizing, and collective impact strategies. Tubbs has been a college course instructor for Aspire Public Schools and a Fellow at the Stanford Institute of Design and the Emerson Collective.