ProceedingsBooklet

The 31st Annual Conference May 15 & 16, 2025 Desert Willow Conference Center 4340 E Cotton Center Blvd.

Phoenix AZ 85040

Half Day Gift Planning Basic Sessions May 15 | 8:00am – 12:00pm Full Day Multi-Track Sessions May 16 | 7:15am – 3:00pm

ARIZONA’S PREMIER EDUCATION EVENT FOR CHARITABLE GIFT PLANNING PROFESSIONALS

WELCOME FROM THE PRESIDENT AND CONFERENCE CHAIR Dear Members and Friends, It is with immense joy and pride that we welcome you to the Arizona Charitable Gift Planners’ 31st Annual Conference!

We are thrilled to have you join us for a day and a half filled with learning, networking, and inspiration. This year’s conference boasts an exceptional lineup of speakers, offering invaluable insights and opportunities to connect with fellow gift planners, professional advisors, and our esteemed conference partners.

Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to everyone who has contributed to making this event possible.

We extend a special thank you to our generous chapter partners, whose financial support has been instrumental in bringing this conference to life. Please take the time to visit their information tables and discover how their resources can benefit you and your organization.

A special acknowledgment is due to the AZCGP board and committees for their tireless efforts and dedication throughout the year. This conference is a testament to the hard work of our volunteers on the Programs, Development, Membership, Marketing, and Conference Steering Committees, along with the invaluable support from our association management team at Premium Organization.

We hope you take away from the conference a feeling of being inspired, rejuvenated, and equipped with new knowledge to enhance your work and career. We encourage you to make the most of the connections you forge today and to stay engaged with AZCGP throughout the year. There are numerous opportunities to get involved—whether by becoming a member, volunteering for a committee, partnering in our programs, or attending our monthly events and social activities.

Thank you once again for being here. Enjoy the conference!

Darin Shebesta, CFP®, AIF®, CAP®, CPFA® President

Nicola Lawrence, MSc, MSFP, PgC, CAP®,’ CFRE Vice President & Conference Committee Chair

THANK YOU! 2024-2025 Current AZCGP Board of Directors President Darin Shebesta, CFP®, CAP®, AIF®, CPFA® Possibility Wealth Advisors, LLC

Vice President Nicola Lawrence, CFRE, CAP® Phoenix Children’s Foundation

Secretary Vanessa Martin, CAP® Arizona Humane Society

Treasurer Bret Reel U.S. Bank Private Wealth Management

Past President | Beth Salazar, CAP®

Director Alan Knobloch, CFRE Synergy Philanthropy

Director Andrea Claus Morris Hall PLLC

Director Thomesa Lydon, CRES, SRES, ASP Lydon Senior Pathways/ReMax Excalibur Director Suzanne Percy, CFRE A New Leaf

Director Pat Elder, CPA, MBA, CAP®, CFRE HonorHealth Foundation

Director Olivia Homewood, CFRE Desert Botanical Garden

Director Andy Ragone PleiadesNPA

Welcome!

2025-2026 AZCGP Board of Directors Terms Effective July 1, 2025 President Darin Shebesta, CFP®, CAP®, AIF®, CPFA® Possibility Wealth Advisors, LLC

Vice President Nicola Lawrence, CFRE, CAP® Phoenix Children’s Foundation

Secretary Vanessa Martin, CAP® Arizona Humane Society

Treasurer Bret Reel U.S. Bank Private Wealth Management

Past President | Beth Salazar, CAP®

Director Alan Knobloch, CFRE Synergy Philanthropy

Director Jill McIlroy, CGPP, 21/64 Certified Advisor, CAP® Arizona Community Foundation

Director Justin Pace, MBA Phoenix Children’s Foundation

Director Thomesa Lydon, CRES, SRES, ASP Lydon Senior Pathways/ReMax Excalibur

Director Brooks Crandell Morris Hall PLLC

Director Andy Ferguson, CFP®, CKA® John Moore Associates

Director Pat Elder, CPA, MBA, CAP®, CFRE HonorHealth Foundation

Director Andy Ragone PleiadesNPA

Director Olivia Homewood, CFRE Desert Botanical Garden

Director Justin Smith, CAP®, CFA®, CFP® Savant Wealth Management

Director Jacqueline Ochoa The Joy Bus

May 15, 2025 Half Day Sessions Gift Planning Basic Sessions 8:00am Check In/Breakfast/Networking

8:45am

Troy McNemar, Certified Specialist in Estate and Trust Law, McNemar Law Offices, P.C. “No Policies? What Could Go Wrong?”

9:15am

Darin Shebesta, CFP®, Possibility Wealth Advisors LLC “Mastering the Art of Connection: Effective Networking & Communication Strategies”

9:45am

Jill McIlroy, CGPP, 21/64 Certified Advisor, CAP®, Donor Experience Advisor, Arizona Community Foundation “Easy Gifts that Aren’t Cash”

10:30am

Vonise Petersen, Sr. Philanthropy Officer, Gift Planning, Phoenix Children’s Foundation “Planning for Impact”

11:00am

Andy Ragone, CEO, Partner & Co-Founder, Pleiades Nonprofit Advisors, LLC “From Mission to Momentum: Marketing Planned Giving with Purpose”

11:30am

Margaret Stephens-Reed, Director, Donor Relations, VALLEYLIFE “Tips on Setting Up Your Legacy Society”

Click Here to Access Conference Webpage for Presentations

THANK YOU! 2025 Annual Conference Steering Committee

Chair Nicola Lawrence, CFRE, CAP® Phoenix Children’s Foundation

Program Andy Ragone PleiadesNPA

AZCGP President Darin Shebesta, CFP®, CAP®, AIF®, CPFA® Possibility Wealth Advisors, LLC

Partnerships Thomesa Lydon, CRES, SRES, ASP Lydon Senior Pathways/ReMax Excalibur

AZCGP Past President Beth Salazar, CAP®

At Large

At Large Tiffany House, CAP®, CEPA, FCEP Gift Planning Institute

At Large Rob Rynders, CFP® TCI Wealth Advisors

Jill McIlroy, CGPP, 21/64 Certified Advisor, CAP® Arizona Community Foundation

Breakfast Plenary Keynote 8:10am – 9:00am “Harnessing AI for Fundraising Impact”

Josh Birkholz CEO BWF

Plenary Partner

Session approved for 1PT

CE Credit

Session approved for 1HR

CE Credit

Click Here to Access Conference Webpage for Presentation

Lunch Plenary Keynote 12:30pm – 1:20pm “Find Your Fundraising Flow: Power Partner Principles Every Changemaker Needs Now”

Mallory Erickson Mallory Erickson Coaching, LLC

Plenary Partner

Session approved for 1PT

CE Credit

Click Here to Access Conference Webpage for Presentations

CAP® PROGRAM The Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® is a designation provided by The American College of Financial Services. The CAP® curriculum is designed to provide specialized education in philanthropic planning, giving students the knowledge and tools needed to help clients articulate and advance their highest aspirations for self, family and

Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® STUDY GROUP

society.

May 2025 – DECEMBER 2025 CAP® STUDY GROUP The CAP® Study Group provides enrolled students with an opportunity to elevate and deepen their study experience through discussions with other candidates in the disciplines of law, accounting, finance and gift planning. In addition to learning through collaborative discourse and real-life case studies, study group participants will gain a supportive referral network of like-minded professionals with a

Join the Arizona Charitable Gift Planners for a CAP® Study Group! We strive to educate and empower CAP® students to achieve this advantageous designation and advance their careers. Designations not only play a pivotal role in an advisor's success but also significantly impact charitable organizations, enabling them to better fulfill their mission of helping those in need.

Moderated by Tiffany House, CAP®, CEPA, FCEP. Subject to space availability, you may join the group at the beginning of any course module. Meetings are held from 2:00PM – 3:30PM on Thursdays.

broad range of perspectives.

MEETING DATES: For pricing and enrollment information visit the American College of Financial Services CAP® program page: CAP® Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® Program | The American College of Financial Services To reserve your seat in the AZCGP CAP® Study Group, contact Tiffany@TaxEstate.com.

For more information, please email AZCGP at admin@azgiftplanners.org

GS839: Planning for Philanthropic Impact in the Context of Family Wealth May 1 & 13 (Tuesday) & 29, June 12 & 26, July 10 (optional) GS849: Charitable Strategies August 7 & 21, September 4 & 18, October 2 & 16 (optional) GS859: Gift Planning in a Nonprofit Context Dates to be determined by study group

Getting Started Track 9:15am-10:20am

“The League of Extraordinary Advisors: Assembling a Powerhouse of Professional Advisors Board” Trevor Whiting, JD, LLM, MBA Founding Attorney Dana Whiting Law, PLLC Session Partner: Session approved for 1PT

10:30am – 11:40am

CE Credit

“Discover the Power of Gift Planning in Tumultuous Times” Nicola Lawrence, MSc, MA, PGC, CFRE, CAP® Associate Vice President/Philanthropic Advising Phoenix Children’s Foundation Session Partner:

1:35pm – 2:40pm

Session approved for 1PT

CE Credit

Session approved for 1HR

CE Credit

“The Legacy Blueprint: A No-Nonsense Guide to Planned Giving That Works” Holly Omlor Operations Manager GivingDocs

Andy Ragone CEO, Partner & Co-Founder Pleiades nonprofit Advisors, LLC Session approved for 1PT

CE Credit

Click Here to Access Webpage for Presentations

AZCGP Legacy Program AZCGP Legacy Partners is made up of individuals who seek to preserve the work and mission of Arizona Charitable Gift Planners for generations to come by including AZCGP in their wills and future planning, or by making a qualifying contribution* to AZCGP’s endowment. They are committed to the following ideals: increasing awareness of charitable gift planning to strengthen nonprofit organizations and maintaining the highest level of excellence of professional development for all types of gift planning professionals in the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan region and Northern Arizona.

Click Here to Learn More and Become a Legacy Partner Today!

Getting Inspired Track 9:15am-10:20am

“Real Estate Gifts: Hidden Gold or Headache? Making the Complex Simple & Securing Gifts that Matter” Javier Reyes Real Estate Professional Licensed In Arizona & California Session Partner:

10:30am – 11:40am

Session approved for 1PT

CE Credit

Session approved for 1 HR

CE Credit

“Navigating Ethical Crossroads: Confidentiality, Capacity & Conflicts in Charitable Gift Planning” Reid Potter Ethics and Risk Management Praxis Legal Session Partner:

1:35pm – 2:40pm

Session approved for 1PT

CE Credit

Session approved for 1HR

CE Credit

“Love the Equally, Treat them Uniquely…Five Ideas for Preparing Future Stewards” John Moore Founder John Moore Associates Session Partner: Session approved for 1PT

CE Credit

Session approved for 1 HR

CE Credit

Click Here to Access Webpage for Presentations

Getting Technical Track 9:15am-10:20am Moderated Panel of Industry Professionals Moderator: Paul Reardon Chief Executive Officer Zia Trust

“Fiduciary Responsibility: Personal Representatives and Successor Trustees” Panelist: Jennifer Hartenbower Zia Trust

Marlene Appel Certified Specialist in Estate and Trust Law Licensed Fiduciary

Session Partner: Session approved for 1PT

10:30am – 11:40am

CE Credit

“S Corporations & Charity” Jeff Waldron Gift Planning Attorney National Christian Foundation Session Partner:

1:35pm – 2:40pm

Session approved for 1PT

CE Credit

Session approved for 1HR

CE Credit

“A Candid Conversation Between a Fiduciary and a Bequest Administrator” Fredrick B. Weber Counsel Arentfox Schiff LLP

Andrew Fussner National VP, Estate Settlement American Heart Association Session Partner: Session approved for 1PT

CE Credit

Session approved for 1 HR

CE Credit

Click Here to Access Webpage for Presentations

Thank You to Our Plenary Partners!

Thank You to Our Half Day Sessions Partner!

Thank You to Our Pre-Conference Reception Partner!

Thank You to Our Breakout Session Partners!

Thank You to Our Program Partners!

AZCGP Membership Annual membership dues $175.00, receive $435 in value, plus the ability to save an additional $70.00 when selecting to purchase pre-paid meetings with your annual membership: o 8 monthly educational luncheons at member price point ($160.00 savings) o Annual conference member registration ($25.00 savings) o Facilitated CAP(R) Study Groups ($250 value) o Select pre-paid meetings with your membership and save an additional $70.00 o Ability to submit content for the quarterly newsletters (articles, case studies, member news and highlights, etc.) (Showcase your expertise and stories) o Participation in Speakers' Bureau (Showcase your knowledge) Receive $25 discount if processing membership within a week of the conference. Keep an eye out for post conference notice in your inbox.

• Monthly programs generally the third Tuesday of each month at Ability 360 (52nd Street and Washington) August – November / January - April • Monthly happy hours generally the fourth Tuesday of each month: August – November / January – April • Holiday social in December • Annual conference generally in May

Click Here to Process Membership Today!

Thank You To Our Event Partner

From the AZCGP Board

Mission: Educate, motivate and empower our community to collectively promote and facilitate charitable gift planning.

Vision: We envision an enriched community where leaving a legacy through charitable gift planning is the social norm.

Core Values: Integrity, Generosity, Innovation, Collaboration, Engagement and Community

www.azgiftplanners.org

admin@azgiftplanners.org 480-409-8522