Jennifer Keyo is the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (CGP) 2023 Rising Star Recipient. Since Jenn began her work in the gift planning community in 2017, she has collaborated with nonprofits to implement national standards within their organizations and strengthened professional development opportunities in the planned giving community. 

This award recognizes the talent of a professional new to charitable gift planning. With the work of charitable gift planning ever-changing, expanding this award encourages recipients to consider a lifelong pursuit of the field and continue active membership in their local councils and national association.

Jenn Keyo is the Director of Legacy and Leadership Giving at Westminster School in Simsbury, Connecticut, renowned as one of the country’s premier college-preparatory institutions. In this role, she travels across the country to connect with members of the Westminster community and other individuals interested in supporting the school’s mission and programs. Before joining Westminster School, Jenn acquired significant expertise in annual giving and advancement operations during her 10-year tenure in the Institutional Advancement Office at the University of Hartford.

In 2017, Jenn took over leadership of the Boarding School Gift Planners, a group of over 20 schools, where she runs two conferences a year covering all aspects of planned giving. In January 2021, Jenn was appointed to the board of directors of the Charitable Gift Planners of Connecticut. Currently, she serves as the co-chair of the program committee, spearheading efforts to curate engaging topics and secure top-notch speakers for their educational initiatives. She has been instrumental in devising a fresh programming format to help nonprofits across the state understand planned giving basics as well as boost membership in the post-COVID era. In addition to the program committee, she is a founding member of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging committee and a member of the marketing committee. Jenn has also collaborated with the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners to support and guide local nonprofits in implementing the National Planned Giving Standards. In 2022, she achieved certification as a specialist in planned giving.

Jenn completed her undergraduate studies at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, earning a bachelor’s in business and marketing while also serving as a member of varsity intercollegiate soccer team. Jenn’s exceptional dedication and contributions were later honored with the Alumnae Leadership and Service Medallion. She continued her education at the University of Hartford, where she pursued and successfully obtained a master’s in communication.
 
Jenn resides in Canton, Connecticut, with her husband, Peter, and their three children. In her leisure time, she enjoys cooking and tending to her yard.

Jenn will be recognized at CGP Conference 2023 in Chicago, IL, in November. 

Nominations for the 2024 CGP Rising Star Award will open in June 2024. Learn more about the CGP Awards program, previous winners and how to nominate or apply at charitablegiftplanners.org/awards

About CGP
The National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (CGP) is the leading organization setting standards for charitable gift planners. We bring members together to learn, connect and advocate. We provide education and resources that enrich and advance careers. We connect colleagues at all levels through our national network—including those who defined the field. We exist to serve our distinguished profession and bring to life the art and science of charitable gift planning.

The National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (CGP) is delighted to award the Hall of Fame Award to three outstanding professionals: Craig Wruck, Senior Advisor for PG Calc and author; Dien Yuen, JD, LLM, CAP®, AEP®; and posthumously, Gordon Caswell. Over the course of their careers, they continue the mission of charitable gift planning through their dedication to planned giving and professional development.

A sought-after strategist, speaker, instructor, and practitioner of philanthropy, Dien Yuen has spent the past 25 years fostering innovation and creating impact for communities worldwide. Dien co-founded Daylight Advisors to revolutionize the field and practice of philanthropic advising. Bringing together her expertise in gift planning, wealth management, professional development, and social impact, Daylight helps maximize philanthropy’s potential for transforming lives by advancing the training, research, professionalization, and diversity of today’s philanthropic field.

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®) designation. While at the College, Dien launched the Advisors of Color CAP® Study Group, a support group for BIPOC advisors pursuing their designations. That initiative tripled the number of CAP-trained BIPOC philanthropic professionals in the field in less than three years. In addition, she developed and launched Purpose School, an immersive, interactive learning experience to help leaders explore the intersection of meaning and purpose in their lives. Dien’s expertise and impact extend to Asia, where she is the lead faculty for philanthropy at Singapore’s Wealth Management Institute (WMI). She has taught in the inaugural Philanthropy Advisors Fellowship at the Asia Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN).

Overall, Dien has supported more than one thousand advisors seeking greater competence, confidence, and cultural dexterity in their work.

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 Give2Asia, Giving Compass, Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation, and The 1990 Institute and is an advisor to the Asia Society Northern California and Global SF.

Craig Wruck’s experience in charitable gift planning spans more than 40 years in both nonprofit and for-profit organizations including Humboldt State University (CA), Minnesota State University, University of Minnesota, and The Saint Paul Community Foundation as well as U.S. Trust Company, US Bank, and Kaspick & Company. Craig currently serves as Senior Advisor for PG Calc and is the author of Planned Giving in a Nutshell, a practical guide to planned giving for development generalists.

Craig was among the early leaders of the National Committee on Planned Giving, serving as President in 1997, Conference Chair in 1993, and Chair of Government Relations from 1998 through 2010. He was a member of the Board of Directors from 1991 through 1997 and again from 2007 through 2010. The association recognized him with a Distinguished Service Award in 2010.

Craig earned his MBA from the University of St. Thomas and his bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Utah.

Prior to his death in 2004, Gordon M. Caswell trained more than 15,000 fund raising executives in planned giving and conducted over 1,500 seminars for professionals. In 1996, Gordon received one of the fund raising industry’s top awards, the Laureate Award for "Major Gift Fundraiser of Distinction." This honor is only given to individuals who have raised more than $10 million dollars for at least 10 consecutive years.

As president of the Baylor Healthcare System Foundation, Gordon raised over $400 million dollars. He increased their endowment from $8.9 million dollars to over $290 million in his fourteen years at the Foundation.

The Hall of Fame is CGP's highest honor. The award recognizes those whose life's work has impacted charitable gift planning. Their work advances the mission of CGP and brings credit to all the professions engaged in charitable planning.

The awardees will be inducted into the CGP Hall of Fame at CGP Conference 2023 in Chicago, IL, in November. The Hall of Fame will be permanently memorialized on the CGP website and recognized in associated media outlets.

Hall of Fame inductees receive lifetime membership in CGP, honorary membership in the Leadership Institute, and complimentary registration to conference in the year of the award.

Nominations for the 2024 CGP Hall of Fame Award will open in June 2024. Learn more about the CGP Awards program, previous winners and how to nominate or apply at charitablegiftplanners.org/awards.

About CGP
The National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (CGP) is the leading organization setting standards for charitable gift planners. We bring members together to learn, connect and advocate. We provide education and resources that enrich and advance careers. We connect colleagues at all levels through our national network—including those who defined the field. We exist to serve our distinguished profession and bring to life the art and science of charitable gift planning.

Indianapolis, IN: Josh Birkholz will be the closing keynote speaker for the 2023 CGP Conference hosted by the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners. 

Josh is the CEO of BWF and chair of the Giving USA Foundation board of directors. Josh is a leader in big philanthropy and an architect of the business of fundraising. 

In his closing keynote presentation entitled “Empowered Gift Planners: Harnessing AI for Greater Impact,” Josh will demystify artificial intelligence (AI) and identify its potential to strengthen your skills and impact. He will also explore how AI can be used as a tool to drive philanthropic goals within your organization. 

In his 25+ years in the charitable sector, Josh has led the establishment of data science in fundraising, developed high ROI operational infrastructure, guided fundraising through challenging economic conditions, and crafted authentic approaches to high net-worth giving.

He has been with BWF, the nonprofit service and technology company known for its innovations in elevating philanthropy around the world, for 18 years.BWF is the nonprofit service and technology company known for its innovations in elevating philanthropy around the world. 

He earned the Crystal Apple Award for Teaching Excellence from CASE and the Apra Visionary award for his innovation in applying data science to fundraising.

He is an instructor at the Rice University Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership (CPNL). CPNL’s programs unite theory and nonprofit sector experience, so that students can learn from seasoned practitioners and their peers.

Along with his aforementioned successes, he is the author of the books Fundraising Analytics (Wiley, 2008) and Benefactors (Wiley, 2022); and a contributor to the books A Kaleidoscope of Prospect Development and Return on Character.

Don’t miss Josh’s closing keynote session, on Friday, November 3 from 12:30- 2 p.m. Learn more on the CGP Conference event website.

Dwayne Ashley will be the keynote speaker for the 2023 CGP Conference hosted by the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners.

Dwayne is the founder and CEO of Bridge Philanthropic Consulting, the nation’s largest and only full-service African-American-owned fundraising firm. His team includes more than 100 advisors who specialize in community outreach, engagement, DEI, canvassing, strategic planning, messaging, marketing, communications and executing outreach programs for public sector, private and nonprofit clients.

Raising more than $1 billion dollars throughout his career, Dwyane is known as a “powerhouse of energy and a passion for fundraising.” He has managed capital and annual campaigns and spearheaded development for such notable organizations as the Jazz at Lincoln Center, 100 Black Men of America, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, the United Negro College Fund and the United Way of Texas Gulf Coast, among many others

Dwyane is committed to social justice and helping organizations of color maximize their fundraising success. His goal is to get funds in the communities that need them most.

Dwayne has served as a member of the Boards of AFP Philadelphia and New York Chapters. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Giving Institute, African American Development Officers, and New York Society Library. He is active in One Hundred Black Men of New York and the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity.

Along with his aforementioned successes, he has also shared valuable concepts in numerous articles and four books. Dwayne Ashley earned a Master’s Degree from the University of Pennsylvania’s Fels School of Government and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Wiley College.

Indianapolis, IN -- The National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (CGP), the leading organization setting standards for charitable gift planners, has hired Andrea Skirvin as the Content and Communications Specialist. 

Andrea will be CGP’s primary writer and storyteller, creating print and digital content that fosters education and engagement for CGP members. She will co-create and implement a communications strategy to disseminate news and information across CGP’s content platforms. She will also measure and analyze the effectiveness of these communications and adapt the communications strategy to best fit our audiences. Andrea is passionate about creating spaces for engagement, relevant content, and networking opportunities for gift planning professionals.

Andrea will work closely with CGP’s Director of Membership and Marketing, Jessica Hall, on member outreach and initiatives, and collaborate with the CGP team on a variety of content development and brand initiative ideas. 

She previously worked as the Marketing and Communications Specialist for ACES: The Society for Editing. They are the nation’s leading organization of editing professionals, and are dedicated to improving the written word. She is excited to bring the communications, marketing, writing, and editing skills and apply them to CGP’s national network. 

“I am overjoyed to work alongside a phenomenal team driving an incredible organization. I look forward to all we will accomplish to guide gift planning forward. I can't wait to join the CGP community in Chicago for the annual conference!"

Andrea holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Marian University. She lives in Indianapolis with her two cats, where you can find her painting, reading, or experimenting in the kitchen.

The National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (CGP) is the leading organization setting standards for charitable gift planners. We bring members together to learn, connect and advocate. We provide education and resources that enrich and advance careers. We connect colleagues at all levels through our national network—including those who defined the field. We exist to serve our distinguished profession and bring to life the art and science of charitable gift planning.
 

Indianapolis, IN -- The National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (CGP) is pleased to announce its 2024 class of Board of Directors. Seven members were elected to the board to serve three-year terms beginning January 2024. The members were elected at the Assembly of Delegates held June 14, 2023.

2024 Class of the Board of Directors

Meredith Camp
SVP, Philanthropic Services Sr. Regional Trust Manager
Wells Fargo Bank
Dallas Council of Charitable Gift Planners

Meredith Camp is a philanthropic services senior regional trust manager and senior vice president with Wells Fargo Wealth & Investment Management. Ms. Camp leads a team of experienced philanthropic specialists in the Central and Western Divisions in helping to grow and retain philanthropic business, while focusing on business economics and risk reduction.

Liana Garcia
Director of Gift Planning
The Community Foundation of Greater New Haven
Charitable Gift Planners of Connecticut

Liana Garcia has been the Director of Gift Planning at The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven for more than four years. Previous to that she was a Senior Philanthropic Officer for the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. She is a bilingual/bicultural (First generation Cuban American) management professional with more than thirty-five years of organizational growth, professional staff management and hands-on program development experience. She has been recognized in the non-profit and dietetic industries for her work and presentations involving the issue of diversity in the workplace.

Tamisha Keith
Director of Gift Planning
North Carolina A&T State University
North Carolina Council of Charitable Gift Planners

Tamisha Keith, J.D., CAP® is an experienced development professional with over ten years of experience in program management, fundraising, community engagement, and strategic planning in the non-profit sector. As the Director of Gift Planning for North Carolina A&T State University, she is responsible for building and managing a comprehensive planned giving program for long-term revenue growth, raising over $2 million for the University in major and planned gifts in less than a year. Tamisha is also responsible for developing a robust stewardship plan for legacy donors while educating Major Gift Officers on planned giving vehicles to increase their donor engagement and dollars raised.

Robert King
Assistant Vice President, Health Sciences Development
University of Iowa Center for Advancement
Eastern Iowa Planned Giving Council

Robert King is an Assistant Vice President for Health Sciences Development at the University of Iowa Center for Advancement and leads donor advising and engagement efforts on behalf of the Department for Internal Medicine at UI’s Carver College of Medicine.As a philanthropic advisor, Bob strives to provide UI Health Care supporters with the best advice and strategies for creating meaningful impact through charitable giving.

Stacy Sulman
Chief Legal Officer & Managing Director, Planned Giving
ACWIS
Philanthropic Planning Group of Greater New York

Stacy B. Sulman, J.D., is the Chief Legal Officer and Managing Director, Planned Giving for the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science, where she has worked for 15 years. In that capacity, Stacy oversees planned giving and estate settlements, gift compliance and structuring, and general legal affairs. Stacy previously served as Associate Director and General Counsel for the Jewish Community Foundation of MetroWest, New Jersey.

George Westerman
Director, Donor Relations and Gift Planning
The Children's Foundation
Planned Giving Roundtable of Southeast Michigan

During George Westerman's 25-year career in New York and Michigan as a technology professional and executive focused on large systems implementation services for customers around the world as well as building a project management practice, George also nurtured his passion for giving back to the community. Encouragement to engage beyond the workplace with organizations focused on disadvantaged communities, civic engagement, animal welfare, rights of and support for diverse populations, and children’s health, Westerman realized his passion for making the world better and longed for an opportunity to engage more deeply.

Simon Williams
Associate Director of Gift Planning
The Nature Conservancy
Planned Giving Roundtable of Northern Nevada
Planned Giving Forum of Greater Sacramento

Through smart and strategic gift and estate planning, Simon Williams works with donors (and their advisors) to help them explore and make outright, blended and deferred gifts in support of their personal values and financial goals and the charitable causes they care about.

This group joins 21 individuals from throughout the country who serve on the national board that represents nearly 100 councils and 8,000 professionals in the field of charitable gift planning.

About CGP
The National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (CGP) is the leading organization setting standards for charitable gift planners. We bring members together to learn, connect and advocate. We provide education and resources that enrich and advance careers. We connect colleagues at all levels through our national network—including those who defined the field. We exist to serve our distinguished profession and bring to life the art and science of charitable gift planning.