Jay Harvill doesn’t just work in fundraising—he helps people imagine the impact they can have for generations. For over two decades, he’s served as a bridge between generous hearts and the transformational change they want to create. His leadership has turned planned giving from a quiet corner of development into a bold, strategic force.At Methodist Hospital Foundation in Arcadia, where Jay has led Gift & Estate Planning and Major Gifts since 2005, he’s helped redefine what's possible. Under his guidance, the team has exceeded campaign goals, multiplied planned giving revenue fivefold, and built a 15-year expectancy pipeline that mirrors current annual revenue—ensuring long-term sustainability for the hospital’s mission. But metrics only tell part of the story. Jay's real work is human—coaching staff, earning donor trust, and working shoulder-to-shoulder with financial advisors, attorneys, and community leaders to craft charitable plans that are as smart as they are generous.He’s the kind of leader who doesn’t shy away from complexity. Whether it’s stewarding gifts of commercial land or designing life income plans that align with a donor’s retirement vision, Jay brings clarity, strategy, and a deep respect for the values that drive giving.Before his time at Methodist, Jay led planned and major gift efforts at Braille Institute, where he built strong, personal connections with donors, and launched marketing strategies that helped grow awareness of philanthropic opportunities in bold new ways.And before philanthropy called, Jay cut his teeth in the corporate world—helping business clients navigate banking, wealth planning, and succession at Citigroup and Wells Fargo, and negotiating major corporate agreements at Hughes Aircraft. He even spent time on the front lines of higher ed outreach with Pepperdine’s business school, leading the region in student enrollments.Jay brings together a rare mix: strategic mind, relational heart, and a clear sense of why it all matters. He believes giving is not a transaction—it’s a legacy. And his career is proof that when you empower people with vision and generosity, extraordinary things happen.Our Sponsorswashingtontimes.comstillwatercapitalmgmt.compleiadesnpa.comFor Dr. Russell James' work, please visit: encouragegenerosity.com

Kevin Barry is an AVP at Mount Saint Mary's University and brings a fresh perspective towards relationship driven leadership and donor connectivity. Kevin is an exceptional fundraiser, storyteller, optimist, philanthropist and has recently become a doctoral candidate in leadership and innovation.

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Business, no matter what business you are in, is all about building relationships. That's what Kevin Barry does. He develops and leverages relationships to generate support for causes that he am passionate about. Over the past few years, Kevin's work has been focused on developing and executing fundraising initiatives and public relations campaigns on behalf of institutions of higher education.

Jill Rode has emerged as a rising star in the gift planning space. Within her five-year tenure at the Music Academy of the West, Jill has helped increase its endowment funded by legacy gifts by $20M.

Jill Rode, CFRE

Director of Philanthropy

Music Academy of the West

1070 Fairway Road

Santa Barbara, CA 93108Office/805-695-7911

jrode@musicacademy.org

About Jill: Jill Rode, CFRE, has built a 30+ year career in fundraising, inspired by her role as Philanthropy Chair of her college sorority (Alpha Phi). She has successfully raised millions of dollars for a range of nonprofits, including the Girl Scouts, the Santa Barbara Zoo, the American Red Cross, and the YMCA.

Since 2020, Jill has served as Director of Philanthropy for the Music Academy of the West, a renowned classical music conservatory and summer festival in Santa Barbara, California. She recently led a successful campaign that raised $16 million to support innovation and ensure the Academy's long-term sustainability. Beyond her role at the Music Academy, Jill is the principal of Fundraising360, where she provides valuable consulting services to smaller nonprofits, helping them optimize their development efforts.A dedicated advocate for community well-being, Jill has served on numerous professional and nonprofits boards, including AFP, SoCalCGP, Junior League, National Charity League, and the South Coast Railroad Museum. She has received prestigious awards for her volunteerism and fundraising expertise and continues to contribute her time to Planned Parenthood and the Dream Foundation while enjoying her hobbies, raising two college-aged children and spending quality time with her husband.

https://youtu.be/8o86bCYM3iE

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Wayne Olson has been in the planned giving space for more than 20 years. He's seen a lot of change in the industry and has some of the essentials for anyone operating in the planned giving world.

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About Wayne:

Wayne Olson is an author, planned giving mentor and speaker and trainer to nonprofits and for-profit organizations worldwide. Wayne is the Chief Development Officer for The Washington Times and the Washington Policy Institute.

He has served as the head of planned giving for the Shriners Children’s Hospital system as well as Intermountain Healthcare Foundation, two of the largest healthcare systems in the world.

He has served as a consultant to corporations and charities where he advised them on fundraising, sales, customer service and building stronger relationships with customers and constituents. He is a leading expert on planned giving and donor relations. An attorney with more than 25 years’ experience, he has worked with donors on hundreds of millions of dollars in donations and helped countless nonprofits build effective and dynamic fundraising and planned giving programs.

He is a sought-after trainer, consultant and speaker on motivation, customer service and leadership. In 2014 Fundraising Success Magazine honored him by awarding Wayne “The Most Inspirational Speaker of the Year.”

Wayne is the author of six books including: Fundraising for Nonprofit Board Members, which is available on Amazon and at Wayneolson.com. His other works include: The Disney Difference, How to Give a Great Speech or Presentation, Big Gifts, Small Effort, and Think Like a Donor. His newest book, Words of Encouragement, is now available.

Wayne has worked as a consultant or trainer for dozens of charities in Canada and the U.S. Hundreds of charities depend on Wayne to broaden and grow their fundraising. They use his writing in their websites, magazines, brochures and newsletters. He has been published in many periodicals including Planned Giving Today, Advancing Philanthropy, Nonprofit Times, 256 Magazine, and has twice been featured in the Chronicle of Philanthropy.

Wayne has spoken to AFP International Conferences, Mensa, NASA, AFP Congress Toronto, Space and Missile Defense, Synovus Bank, Leadership Huntsville, Rotary conferences, Nonprofit University, National Philanthropy Day and many more.

Wayne has served on the boards of three charitable organizations and volunteers for several more. Wayne earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and his law degree from Stetson University College of Law. He is an Eagle Scout and the father of two Eagle Scouts.

To contact Wayne:

Wayne Olson

wayne@wayneolson.com

wayneolson.com

(256) 924-9223 (cell)