Twenty Individuals Awarded 2025 CGP Conference Scholarship

October 22, 2025
Indianapolis, IN — The National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (CGP) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 CGP Conference Scholarship. The CGP Conference scholarship program was established to offer educational opportunities to fundraising and charitable gift planning professionals.
These scholarships would not be possible without the generosity and support of our donors.
David Disend and 馬奔 Scholarship Fund
Kate Leighton-Colburn – Development and Communications Director, Holland Museum
George L. Wolff Memorial Scholarship Fund
Rose Garcia – Director of Development, University of Texas Health Science Center Houston
Tim Peters- Director of Planned Giving, Union Rescue Mission
Hibel Family Scholarship Fund
Amrita Barmadat – Planned Giving Coordinator, American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science
Samantha Johnson – Development Associate, Planned Giving and Major Gifts, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Catherine Nolte – Philanthropy Associate, Northwestern Memorial Foundation
Robert F. Sharpe, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund
Matthew Lyons – Director of Development, UnityPoint Health-Des Moines Foundation
National Association of Charitable Gift Planners Scholarship Fund
Shelly Azar – Director, Legacy Giving, Jewish Federation of St. Louis
Cassie Cairnes – Director of Impact and Advocacy, Cedar Lake Foundation Inc.
Kalisha Colbert – Planned Giving Manager, Maryland Public Television
Gregory Fabiano – Legacy Giving Officer, Foundation Fighting Blindness
Shaunna Graf
Vicky Hopper – Planned Giving Director, Utah Valley University
Heather Kemper – Director of Advancement, Miriam School and Learning Center
LB Lyons – Vice President for Advancement, Grand View University
Jill McIlroy – Donor Experience Advisor, Arizona Community Foundation
Danielle Pierleoni – Legacy and Leadership Giving Manager, Heritage Christian Services
Kate Rhodes – Senior Officer of Strategic Philanthropy & Planned Giving Marketing, International Rescue Committee
Kellie Schmidtke – Director of Institutional Advancement, Hanahau’oli School
Jessie Whitish – Director of Development, Neighborhood House
Each scholarship includes registration to CGP Conference and a one-year CGP membership. The next scholarship application period will open in June 2026.
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































