THIS EVENT HAS PASSED.
We thank all our sponsors, speakers, committee members, and attendees to our 32nd Annual Northern California Planned Giving Conference held on April 22, 2025 at the San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront. This conference focuses on an overarching theme, "Charitable Giving Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow."
For more than 30 years, Northern California Planned Giving Council has provided top quality educational and networking opportunities at our annual planned giving conference. We hope you will join us as we explore innovative ways to make an impact into the future!
We thank all our sponsors, speakers, committee members, and attendees to our 32nd Annual Northern California Planned Giving Conference held on April 22, 2025 at the San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront. This conference focuses on an overarching theme, "Charitable Giving Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow."
For more than 30 years, Northern California Planned Giving Council has provided top quality educational and networking opportunities at our annual planned giving conference. We hope you will join us as we explore innovative ways to make an impact into the future!
CONFERENCE KEYNOTE & PANEL SPEAKERS
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Dien Yuen, JD, LLM, CAP®, AEP®
CEO of Daylight Advisors
As CEO of Daylight, Dien helps advisors build their confidence, competency, and cultural dexterity to elevate the practice of philanthropic advising and support their passion for growth, service, and philanthropic impact.
Daylight's professional development programs, including the Impact Philanthropy Advisor (IPA), set a new standard of impact and training in philanthropic planning. Daylight's work extends to Asia, as Dien is also the lead faculty for philanthropy at the Wealth Management Institute (WMI) in Singapore. She was inducted into the 2023 National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (CGP) Hall of Fame and recognized for her academic leadership with the Distinguished Faculty Award from WMI.
Previously, Dien founded the Center for Philanthropy and Social Impact at The American College of Financial Services, where she also developed and taught courses as the Blunt-Nickel Professor in Philanthropy for the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®). Earlier in her career, Dien worked for several wealth management firms and held executive positions in regional and global development organizations. Today, she serves on the boards of MyriadUSA and Giving Compass.
Dien Yuen, JD, LLM, CAP®, AEP®
CEO of Daylight Advisors
As CEO of Daylight, Dien helps advisors build their confidence, competency, and cultural dexterity to elevate the practice of philanthropic advising and support their passion for growth, service, and philanthropic impact.
Daylight's professional development programs, including the Impact Philanthropy Advisor (IPA), set a new standard of impact and training in philanthropic planning. Daylight's work extends to Asia, as Dien is also the lead faculty for philanthropy at the Wealth Management Institute (WMI) in Singapore. She was inducted into the 2023 National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (CGP) Hall of Fame and recognized for her academic leadership with the Distinguished Faculty Award from WMI.
Previously, Dien founded the Center for Philanthropy and Social Impact at The American College of Financial Services, where she also developed and taught courses as the Blunt-Nickel Professor in Philanthropy for the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®). Earlier in her career, Dien worked for several wealth management firms and held executive positions in regional and global development organizations. Today, she serves on the boards of MyriadUSA and Giving Compass.
PLENARY PANEL SPEAKER
Rehana Abbas
Chief Philanthropy Officer,
San Francisco Foundation
Rehana brings more than 15 years of nonprofit experience to her role as San Francisco Foundation’s Chief Philanthropy Officer. At SFF, she utilizes her expertise in fundraising and nonprofit strategy to raise funds and engage donors in the Foundation’s commitment to social justice and racial equity throughout the Bay Area.
Before joining the Foundation, she served as the Chief Philanthropy Officer at the Oakland Museum of California, where she successfully led their $85 million campaign and worked to center anti-racist fundraising principles in the Museum’s fund development.
Previously, she was SFMOMA’s Senior Director of Individual Giving during its $650 million campaign and reopening in 2016. She is the chair of the board of Children’s Council of San Francisco. She has a BA from Wake Forest University, and an MBA from the Yale School of Management.
Rehana Abbas
Chief Philanthropy Officer,
San Francisco Foundation
Rehana brings more than 15 years of nonprofit experience to her role as San Francisco Foundation’s Chief Philanthropy Officer. At SFF, she utilizes her expertise in fundraising and nonprofit strategy to raise funds and engage donors in the Foundation’s commitment to social justice and racial equity throughout the Bay Area.
Before joining the Foundation, she served as the Chief Philanthropy Officer at the Oakland Museum of California, where she successfully led their $85 million campaign and worked to center anti-racist fundraising principles in the Museum’s fund development.
Previously, she was SFMOMA’s Senior Director of Individual Giving during its $650 million campaign and reopening in 2016. She is the chair of the board of Children’s Council of San Francisco. She has a BA from Wake Forest University, and an MBA from the Yale School of Management.
PLANERY PANEL SPEAKER
Roger Doughty
President of Horizons Foundation
Roger has led Horizons Foundation since 2002. During this time, the foundation has experienced significant growth in grantmaking, assets, and Horizons’ LGBTQ Community Endowment Fund. The foundation has committed itself to realizing the overwhelming potential in legacy giving for the Bay Area’s large, diverse, and dispersed LGBTQ population. In recent years, Horizons has also led development of a first-ever initiative to help LGBTQ communities across the country realize this opportunity as well.
Roger has been an activist and leader in the LGBTQ movement for more than 35 years, dating back to the most difficult years of the AIDS epidemic. Prior to Horizons, he served as executive director of the Chicago LGBTQ Center, now known as the Center on Halsted. Under his leadership, the center tripled in size and impact. He also served as director of programs for the L.A. LGBTQ Center, the world’s largest LGBTQ organization. Roger's San Francisco background includes his tenure in the law firm of Heller Ehrman White & McAuliffe, where he specialized in refugee, immigration and asylum cases involving gender-related persecution and sexual orientation. Roger also has served as president of the Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance in Washington D.C. and Associate Director of the Coro Foundation. He has served most recently on the boards of OutRight Action International, including a period as board chair, and Northern California Grantmakers. Roger has a BA from Williams College, a Masters of Public Policy from U.C. Berkeley, and a JD from the U.C. Berkeley School of Law.
Roger Doughty
President of Horizons Foundation
Roger has led Horizons Foundation since 2002. During this time, the foundation has experienced significant growth in grantmaking, assets, and Horizons’ LGBTQ Community Endowment Fund. The foundation has committed itself to realizing the overwhelming potential in legacy giving for the Bay Area’s large, diverse, and dispersed LGBTQ population. In recent years, Horizons has also led development of a first-ever initiative to help LGBTQ communities across the country realize this opportunity as well.
Roger has been an activist and leader in the LGBTQ movement for more than 35 years, dating back to the most difficult years of the AIDS epidemic. Prior to Horizons, he served as executive director of the Chicago LGBTQ Center, now known as the Center on Halsted. Under his leadership, the center tripled in size and impact. He also served as director of programs for the L.A. LGBTQ Center, the world’s largest LGBTQ organization. Roger's San Francisco background includes his tenure in the law firm of Heller Ehrman White & McAuliffe, where he specialized in refugee, immigration and asylum cases involving gender-related persecution and sexual orientation. Roger also has served as president of the Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance in Washington D.C. and Associate Director of the Coro Foundation. He has served most recently on the boards of OutRight Action International, including a period as board chair, and Northern California Grantmakers. Roger has a BA from Williams College, a Masters of Public Policy from U.C. Berkeley, and a JD from the U.C. Berkeley School of Law.
PLANERY PANEL SPEAKER
Sujata Srivastava
Chief Policy Officer for SPUR
Sujata Srivastava is the Chief Policy Officer for SPUR, a public policy organization based in the Bay Area. Sujata leads policy research and advocacy for the organization, specializing in downtown revitalization and housing affordability strategies. Sujata has over 20 years of experience directing research and policy analysis for cities and regions across the United States and in Latin America.
Before joining SPUR, she was a consultant at Strategic Economics and at AECOM | Economics Research Associates, where she advised public and private-sector clients on affordable housing, transit-oriented development, small business development, and real estate development in the U.S. and Latin America. Sujata holds a Master’s in city planning from the University of California at Berkeley and a B.A. from Mount Holyoke College.
Sujata Srivastava
Chief Policy Officer for SPUR
Sujata Srivastava is the Chief Policy Officer for SPUR, a public policy organization based in the Bay Area. Sujata leads policy research and advocacy for the organization, specializing in downtown revitalization and housing affordability strategies. Sujata has over 20 years of experience directing research and policy analysis for cities and regions across the United States and in Latin America.
Before joining SPUR, she was a consultant at Strategic Economics and at AECOM | Economics Research Associates, where she advised public and private-sector clients on affordable housing, transit-oriented development, small business development, and real estate development in the U.S. and Latin America. Sujata holds a Master’s in city planning from the University of California at Berkeley and a B.A. from Mount Holyoke College.
PLANERY PANEL MODERATOR
Alexis Madrigal
Co-host of KQED Forum
Alexis Madrigal is a journalist in Oakland, California. He's the co-host of KQED’s current affairs show, Forum, and a contributing writer at The Atlantic, where he co-founded The COVID Tracking Project. Previously, he was the editor-in-chief of Fusion and a staff writer at Wired.
His new book, The Pacific Circuit, is coming out in March 2025 from MCD x FSG. He is the proprietor of the Oakland Garden Club, a newsletter for people who like to think about plants. Madrigal authored the book Powering the Dream: ThePhoto credit: Miya Hirayabashi.History and Promise of Green Technology. He's been a visiting scholar at UC Berkeley’s Information School and UC Berkeley's Center for the Study of Technology, Science, and Medicine as well as an affiliate with Harvard's Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society.
He was born in Mexico City, grew up in rural Washington State, and went to Harvard.
Photo credit: Miya Hirayabashi.
Alexis Madrigal
Co-host of KQED Forum
Alexis Madrigal is a journalist in Oakland, California. He's the co-host of KQED’s current affairs show, Forum, and a contributing writer at The Atlantic, where he co-founded The COVID Tracking Project. Previously, he was the editor-in-chief of Fusion and a staff writer at Wired.
His new book, The Pacific Circuit, is coming out in March 2025 from MCD x FSG. He is the proprietor of the Oakland Garden Club, a newsletter for people who like to think about plants. Madrigal authored the book Powering the Dream: ThePhoto credit: Miya Hirayabashi.History and Promise of Green Technology. He's been a visiting scholar at UC Berkeley’s Information School and UC Berkeley's Center for the Study of Technology, Science, and Medicine as well as an affiliate with Harvard's Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society.
He was born in Mexico City, grew up in rural Washington State, and went to Harvard.
Photo credit: Miya Hirayabashi.
CONFERENCE SPEAKERS (In alphabetical order by last name)
Megan Lemieux Bell
Director, Engagement Daylight Advisors Megan is a seasoned partner relations executive with over 20 years of experience leading partner strategies for B2B startups. A graduate of Seattle University with a B.A. in Liberal Studies and a former Jesuit Volunteer Corp member, Megan has always been driven to serve and make an impact. Throughout her career she has supported mission-driven organizations in all stages of operation including newly formed endeavors. Her ability to build relationships, create connections and cultivate community is her superpower. She strongly believes “there is no power for change greater than a community discovering what they care about.” Margaret Wheatley. Megan is the mother of two spirited boys and a sports enthusiast-- competing in multiple triathlons, and most recently dragon boat racing. She is a pseudo party planner, a road trip warrior and an experience seeker. Megan currently serves as Co-Chair on Seattle University Board of Regents. Her volunteer work has included Jesuit Volunteer Corp, Generations Cancer Foundation and City Year. She recently hosted and produced a podcast called, “My Aunt Is A Nun”. |
Patience Boudreaux, MBA, CSPG, CFRE
Philanthropy Executive & President of Adventist Health Rideout Foundation Patience Boudreaux is the Philanthropy Executive and President of Adventist Health Rideout Foundation, which serves the residents of Sutter and Yuba Counties. She is leading an ambitious campaign to bring new technological advancements and renovations to the hospital. She has 19 years of fundraising experience ranging from annual to major to planned giving, with a current focus on gifts of complex assets and bequests. She is a Certified Specialist in Planned Giving (CSPG) and Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and has presented nationally on topics related to charitable gift planning. She currently serves on the boards for the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners, the Northern California Planned Giving Council, and the Southern California Council of Charitable Gift Planners which honored her with the Distinguished Service Award in 2022. |
Shelley Hurwitz
Partner at Holland & Knight Shelley G. Hurwitz is a partner who helps lead a national team of attorneys, fiduciary accountants and paralegals who advocate on behalf of nonprofit organizations as beneficiaries of matured bequests. Ms. Hurwitz and the team follow donor intent by reducing administration fees, maximizing gift value and expediting distributions. She has had success negotiating the early termination and distribution of life beneficiary trusts and perpetual trusts. Ms. Hurwitz's practice canvasses the entire nonprofit sector – including charitable, medical, religious and educational organizations – with the ultimate goal of following donor intent to accelerate and increase bequest revenue to those organizations. Her team's work also produces hundreds of productive fundraising and planned giving prospects for nonprofit organizations. Leveraging off Holland & Knight's national footprint and technology, all probate and trust administration matters are managed in a paperless environment, with client access to working files. Ms. Hurwitz has a national practice and takes pride in working with nonprofit clients to find creative and effective solutions that protect and advance their interests. When that is not possible, Ms. Hurwitz is well-versed in the litigation of complex trust and estate disputes, and she is admitted to practice and has litigated in both state and federal courts. In addition, Ms. Hurwitz has significant experience with will and trust interpretation actions, contested probates and breach of fiduciary duty claims. |
Kimberly Jetton, MNM, CFRE
President, Pleiades Nonprofit Advisors Kimberly stands as a distinguished figure in the realm of planned giving, garnering national recognition for her prowess in fund development and gift planning. Currently at the helm of Pleiades Nonprofit Advisors as President, Kimberly seamlessly guides clients through the intricate landscape of gift planning. Her expertise spans the entire spectrum, from prospect identification to targeted marketing outreach and personal donor interaction. In her previous role as President and Executive Director of the Orange Catholic Foundation, Kimberly orchestrated a transformative chapter in fundraising. Under her leadership, the foundation embraced a new era, complete with a meticulously crafted long-term strategic plan and a revitalized business model. Prior to this, she served at the Archdiocese of Los Angeles as the Director of Planned Giving. There, she pioneered a flagship program for Estate Planning Seminars and donor outreach, resulting in an impressive $110 million secured during her five-year tenure through over 300 seminars. Kimberly's credentials include being a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), holding a Master's Degree in Nonprofit Management from Regis University, and a BA in Political Science from the University of Arizona. A veteran of the Colorado Army National Guard, she dedicates her expertise to various boards, including Southern California Charitable Gift Planners and Catholic Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles. Her multifaceted experience and unwavering commitment make her a pivotal force in the landscape of planned giving. |
Amanda Kiernan Martin, JD
Executive Director, Mills-Peninsula Hospital Foundation Amanda has more than a decade of experience in all disciplines relating to fundraising from front-line cold calls to complex asset transfers. Her integration of planned giving strategies into large capital campaigns and expertise in high net-worth donor management provide dynamic leadership for Mills-Peninsula Hospital Foundation (MPHF). Amanda joins MPHF from CPMC Foundation where she served as Director of Gift Planning. While serving in this role, she helped to secure the second largest gift ($18.5M) to the CPMC Foundation, developed stronger systematic objectives through growth metrics and increased fundraising through the planned giving team by 20% since starting there in 2020. Prior to CPMC Foundation, Amanda served as the Planned Giving Director at the Episcopal Diocese of California. More than a religious organization, the Diocese collaborates with congregations and nonprofits throughout the Bay Area to increase access to shelter, food and essential resources to underserved communities. There Amanda helped initiate a $32 million capital campaign to serve 62 institutions, incorporating estate and life income gifts for the decentralized, multi-entity campaign. In addition to fundraising, Amanda holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Notre Dame and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Denver. An avid volunteer and community advocate, she coaches Girls on the Run in San Francisco and has served as a Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), advocating for children since 2012. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to mission-driven organizations that empower the communities they serve. |
Karl Mill
Attorney, Mill Law Center Prior to founding Mill Law Center, Karl Mill was a partner at Adler & Colvin, a boutique law firm serving non-profits and their donors. Karl continues to advise a broad range of non-profit organizations, including everything from the most innovative start-ups to some of the largest, most established foundations and charities around the country. Karl’s philosophy is to apply his years as a lawyer and educator to provide clear, actionable legal advice and support to non-profits. Karl’s areas of expertise include private foundations, public charities, impact investment, social enterprise, and charitable gift planning. Karl graduated from Columbia Law School in 2013, and practiced trust, estate, and tax law for several years at DLA Piper. |
Stacie Nelson
Partner, Holland & Knight Stacie Polashuk Nelson is a partner in Holland & Knight's San Francisco office and is a member and deputy practice group leader of the firm's Private Wealth Services Group. Since 1998, Ms. Nelson has concentrated her practice on all aspects of disputed trust, estate and conservatorship matters. Her practice includes will and trust contests, accounting disputes, disputed conservatorships, breach of fiduciary duty matters and financial elder abuse matters. She is an experienced trial attorney, but is dedicated to finding the best resolution for the client, including strategizing with clients to avoid litigation, client counseling, mediation, settlement negotiations and/or trial. Ms. Nelson assists clients with contentious administrations of trusts and estates and advocates for and protects bequests made to individuals and charitable beneficiaries. With the goal of avoiding litigation, Ms. Nelson helps fiduciaries meet their duties and, if necessary, works with them to seek court approval to confirm their actions or receive instruction from the court. Because financial institutions are under particular scrutiny in their service as fiduciaries, Ms. Nelson assists corporate fiduciaries during the administration to avoid litigation and ensure best practices are followed and in any disputed matters that may arise with beneficiaries. Ms. Nelson’s clients also include individuals, families, charities/ nonprofit organizations and private professional fiduciaries. Clients often praise Ms. Nelson for her experience and skills, saying: "Stacie is super responsive and really knowledgeable. She is such a great relationship manager and does great legal work as well." – Chambers High Net Worth 2024 guide. Ms. Nelson's experience includes some of the most sensitive and high-profile cases in her field. For example, she was admitted to appear pro hac vice in the New York County Surrogate's Court as a key member of the jury trial team propounding and defending the will of Huguette Clark, in the matter of The Estate of Huguette M. Clark, File No. 1995 - 1375A. In addition, Ms. Nelson also devotes a portion of her practice to pro bono legal services. In addition to her pro bono legal work, Ms. Nelson is active in her community and local charitable organizations. |
David Ogburn, CFP®, CEPA®
Senior Client Strategist, BNY Wealth Management David is a Senior Client Strategist for BNY Wealth Management. In this role, he advises individuals, families, family offices, nonprofits, and other select institutions on how BNY Wealth Management can help them reach their financial goals. David joined the firm in 2019 and has more than 25 years of experience in the investment and financial services industry. Previously, he was an Executive Director at JP Morgan Private Bank. Prior to that, David held various business development- and investment-related roles at global investment banks Donaldson, Lufkin, & Jenrette and Credit Suisse as well as Summitry, a registered investment advisor serving affluent families and institutions. David holds a Bachelor of Science in Humanities and International Affairs from Georgetown University and an MBA, Finance & Entrepreneurial Management, from the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania. He is a veteran of the United States Navy, having served on active duty for six years as a Surface Warfare Officer. David currently resides in Alamo, CA with his wife, Sheila, and together, they have three sons, Wade, Blake, and Luke. In his spare time, he enjoys travel, music, reading, podcasts, prayer/reflection, pick-up basketball, and Bikram yoga. |
Timothy Prosser, JD
Sr. Relationship Manager, TIAA Kaspick Tim Prosser joined TIAA Kaspick in 2009 with nearly 20 years of experience in legal practice and financial services. Prior to joining TIAA-CREF Trust Company in 2000, he practiced law in the areas of estate planning, estate and trust administration, charitable giving, and business succession planning with firms in St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. Prosser currently serves on the board of the North Carolina Council of Charitable Gift Planners, and is a past board member of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners and past chair of the CGP National Conference. He served as president of the Saint Louis Planned Giving Council, and is a recipient of the Council’s Founder’s Award. Mr. Prosser is a frequent, nationwide speaker on charitable and estate planning topics. He received his JD and MA degree in Public Administration from St. Louis University, and his BA in Russian Area Studies from Loyola University, New Orleans. |
Ngan Raskin, JD, LLM
Relationship Manager, TIAA Kaspick Ngan Raskin joined TIAA Kaspick in 2011 as a Technical Consultant of Planned Gifts, and has since held roles as the Senior Technical Consultant, and currently as a Relationship Manager. In her current role, Ms. Raskin provides complex gift consultation, program oversight and risk assessments, and development workshops to support charities in growing their planned giving programs. She previously practiced law in the areas of trust and estate planning, and immigration and family law at legal nonprofits in Northern California. She received a JD from the University of San Francisco School of Law and a Masters of Law in Taxation from Boston University School of Law. Ms. Raskin is a past president of the Northern California Planned Giving Council. |
Barbara Rhomberg
Attorney, Law Office of Barbara Rhomberg Barbara Rhomberg is an attorney who represents nonprofit organizations and their charitable donors on legal issues unique to the nonprofit sector, including obtaining and maintaining tax-exempt status, planned and charitable giving, lobbying and political activity for exempt organizations, endowments and donor-restricted funds, and nonprofit corporate governance. Prior to launching her own firm, Barbara practiced law at Adler & Colvin and worked in the Office of General Counsel of the University of California. She is a former adjunct professor at the University of San Francisco School of Law and also taught in USF’s Master of Nonprofit Administration program. Barbara is a former board member and conference chair of the Northern California Planned Giving Council, and is currently the Board Chair of Community Initiatives, a California-based fiscal sponsor. She is a graduate of Stanford Law School. |
Michael Wagschal
Endowment and Foundation Specialist, Bank of America Michael Wagschal is Managing Director, Endowment and Foundation Specialist for Bank of America Private Bank since 2000. His role is to assist the bank and its advisors when establishing business relationships with nonprofit institutions involving endowment and planned giving assets, as well as individuals with their charitable planning. He positions the firms institutional investment management, fiduciary oversight and philanthropic advisory services to public charities and private foundations. Michael’s 37 years in the philanthropic sector has extended from The American Heart Association, Scripps Foundation for Medicine and Science to the University of Maryland Foundation. He has served as president of the Planned Giving Roundtable of San Diego and served as a board member for the American Cancer Society, OneOC and Jewish Community Center of Orange County. Michael is a frequent speaker on philanthropic trends has been quoted in the Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, and the Orange County Business Journal. |
Fredrick Weber, JD
Counsel in the Private Client, Trusts, and Estates Group, ArentFox Schiff, LLP Fred Weber is Counsel in the Private Client, Trusts, and Estates Group at ArentFox Schiff, LLP in Chicago, where he represents fiduciaries and beneficiaries in matters related to post-death administration of estates and trusts. He also works with clients and their families to help them prepare for post-death administration before a death occurs. Before returning to private law practice in 2022, Fred spent 18 years as a professional fiduciary, first at the JPMorgan Private Bank and most recently with the Northern Trust Company. As a professional fiduciary, Fred guided families through the post-death administration process. Fred has also worked as a planned giving officer and bequest administrator for a large public charity. Prior to law school, Fred spent three years in Washington, DC, working as an aide to the late U.S. Senator Paul D. Wellstone (D-MN). A prolific speaker, Fred has delivered presentations on post-death administration and related topics to audiences across the United States. He also developed and taught a full semester course on post-death administration of estates and trusts at the John Marshall Law School (now the University of Illinois at Chicago Law School). Fred is a member of the Chicago Estate Planning Council, the Chicago Council on Planned Giving, the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners, and the Professional Advisory Committee for the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago. He holds a B.A. in International Relations from the University of Minnesota, a JD from DePaul University College of Law, and he is licensed to practice law in Illinois. |
Russell A. Willis III, JD, LLM
Consultant Russell A. Willis III, J.D., LL.M., is a consultant to licensed professionals -- an advisor to the advisor -- on issues arising in connection with wealth transfers. Much of his practice is focused on structuring charitable contributions of closely held business and real property interests. Among his other engagements, Russ is a manager of noncash research for Charitable Solutions, LLC, a planned gift risk management consulting firm headed by Bryan Clontz. In 2018 he launched a newsletter, the Jack Straw Fortnightly, analyzing current developments in the law -- both tax and nontax -- concerning the transfer of private wealth in this country. In August 2024, Russ self-published "PG 103, stuff every charitable gift planner should kinda know," a concise desk reference covering the waterfront on tax considerations that arise in charitable gift planning -- contribution limits, carryforwards, bargain sales, gift annuities, split-interest trusts, retained life estates, etc. Russ has a law degree from St. Louis University and a master's degree in Taxation Law from Washington University in St. Louis. His undergraduate degree in English Literature is from Indiana University, Bloomington, and he has a master's degree in English from the University of Chicago. A transportational bicyclist and sometime bike mechanic, Russ has lived (almost) car-free since 2008. |
Stephanie S. Zaino, JD
Director of Development II, Gift Planning, Oregon State University Foundation Stephanie Shenigo Zaino is the Director of Development II, Gift Planning at the Oregon State University Foundation, a position she has held for seven years. In her ten years in the field, she has raised over $80 Million in deferred and current gifts for several institutions. She particularly enjoys working on complex gifts with complicated donor circumstances. In addition, she directs the OSUF Gift Planning marketing program and leads a $100 Million initiative for athletics endowment fundraising. Stephanie graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a B.A. in Political Science and earned her J.D. from the University of Notre Dame Law School. Following law school, Stephanie worked with Notre Dame’s Office of Gift Planning before serving as the Associate Director of Gift Planning at UNC-Chapel Hill for two years. She is a member of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners, and the Executive Board of the Northwest Planned Giving Roundtable (NWPGRT) and has presented at both local and national NACGP Council conferences. Outside of work, she can be frequently found hiking with her husband and son or attempting to grow vegetables in her garden. |
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