This year, the ACGA was able to award 8 scholarships. We'd like to congratulate these individuals on their achievements and look forward to helping broaden their gift annuity knowledge.

The ACGA Conference provides a first-class learning opportunity for new as well as seasoned development professionals. The Terry L. Simmons Endowment provides scholarships to young and aspiring professionals as well as development staff at organizations that need assistance to attend the ACGA Conference who would otherwise be unable. The scholarship includes:

• 2024 conference registration
• 1-year ACGA membership for your organization
• 2-night stay at the ACGA conference hotel
• Recognition in the ACGA newsletter and during the conference

Winners are:

Matthew Busby
Del Mar College
Associate Vice President of Development 

Matthew Busby is the Associate Vice President of Development for Del Mar College in Corpus Christi. He is inspired by students overcoming obstacles to achieve success … and facilitating the joy donors experience through philanthropy. He leads the development team while holding his own donor portfolio and is focused on building systematic, sustainable, and data-driven initiatives that change the culture of education and philanthropy within the College and community.

A sixth-generation Texan, Matthew is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and earned his master’s degree from Western Governor’s University and bachelor's degree from Baylor University. He is a past president of the Texas Association of Community College Foundations; board member of the South Texas Botanical Gardens; and an active Rotarian. His passions include nature; reading; piano; dancing; genealogy and time with his wife and two kids.

Bev Carter
Impact Latin America
Development Director

Bev Carter, MBA, is the Development Director for Impact Latin America. She has several years' experience leading development teams and managing a variety of large and small programs in the profit and nonprofit sectors. Her passion is to contribute to building God’s Kingdom and values the opportunity to empower and inform the Church in the area of missions. She has two grown children and lives north of Seattle, Washington with her husband.
For more information about IMPACT, see: https://impactlatinamerica.org/

Jodi Chaler
Operation Smile
Specialist for Planned Giving

Jodi Chaler, a seasoned professional with diverse experience in development offices, executive-level support, and event planning, has dedicated most of her career to fostering success in non-profit organizations and higher education institutions. Currently serving as the Specialist for Planned Giving at Operation Smile, Jodi plays a crucial role providing administrative support for the planned giving program, overseeing marketing efforts, and managing donor stewardship events. Serving as a liaison, she actively works to enhance relationships with donors, attorneys, trustees and financial advisors.

Known for her problem-solving skills, Jodi excels in research, details, and organizational finesse. Her meticulous mindset ensures that every challenge is approached with thorough examination and resolution. Passionate about the life-changing surgeries and programs facilitated by Operation Smile, Jodi is deeply committed to making a meaningful impact through planned giving. She continually accesses professional development opportunities, stays curious, and forges connections with donors, reflecting her unwavering dedication to the organization's noble cause. In 2023, Jodi was one of 20 global employees named to the Operation Smile Brand Ambassador team. In her free time, Jodi enjoys reading, coaching softball, practicing yoga, and spending time with family, friends and her dog, Elvis.

Stephen Eschen
University of Idaho
Director of Estate, Trust, and Gift Planning

Stephen Eschen, CFP, AAMS is a third-generation University of Idaho Vandal and Moscow, Idaho native. He graduated from the U of I in 2011. Upon graduating he moved to Phoenix, Arizona where he spent the last 12 years working as a stockbroker and financial planner for Charles Schwab and most recently Merrill Lynch. During that time, he was also able to attain his Certified Financial Planner ™ certification.

After meeting his wife in Phoenix and having their 1st child (a now 2-year-old son), Stephen decided it was time to return home and help the University of Idaho further its mission of academic and social excellence. As a Director of Estate, Trust, and Gift Planning at the University of Idaho he loves learning about the journeys of our many Vandal alumni, donors, and constituents. He is excited about this next phase of his career, where he can be a catalyst to help passionate University of Idaho supporters share their resources for the betterment of the university, society, and the world. In his spare time, he likes to be a family man to his wife and young son, attend local sporting events, and spend time outdoors whenever possible. 

Debbie Helbig
The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry
Planned Giving Representative

Debbie was born and raised in New Jersey, where she completed her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. Her experience in teaching quickly made it apparent that she enjoyed the administrative aspects of the profession. After a nine-year break taken to be a stay-at-home mom, she joined the non-profit workforce as an administrative assistant for a listener-supported radio station. When the station was sold, Debbie joined The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, where she has been serving for 17 years.

Debbie was the Administrative Assistant for Ministry Advancement for 16 years. This gave her extensive experience in working with planned giving. In 2023, Debbie was promoted to Planned Giving Representative at The Friends of Israel. Since then, the planned giving program has become proactive in promoting “Partnering Today, Preparing a Legacy”. Debbie is excited to see the program grow and engage more supporters in an intentional, well-presented, expertly executed format. 

Amanda Neiter
Houston Grand Opera
Director of Legacy Giving

Amanda Neiter is Director of Legacy Giving at the Houston Grand Opera where she leads planned and endowment gifts. Prior to her current role, Amanda served as Executive Director of a visual arts organization dedicated to underserved youth in Santa Fe, NM before moving on to lead major and planned gifts at the Santa Fe Opera. Amanda has over eleven years of experience working for nonprofit organizations in the arts and has a particular passion for helping donors structure philanthropy with their overall estate planning.

Carol Snow
Hebrew SeniorLife
Major and Planned Giving Officer

Carol Snow works at Hebrew SeniorLife (New England’s largest non-profit provider of senior healthcare and living communities) as a Major and Planned Giving Officer. Carol has worked in Development for almost ten years, nearly five of which have been at Hebrew SeniorLife. Carol has a passion for helping others through fundraising and recently entered into a more planned-giving focused role. She is thrilled to be attending her first ACGA conference this April with the help of the Terry L. Simmons Scholarship.

Carol lives just outside of Boston, MA. When she is not fundraising for Hebrew SeniorLife, Carol loves to spend time with her family (including two young daughters who keep her very busy and happy), take walks with her dogs, and read.

Jaclyn Stewart-Strothmann
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
Senior Director of Major and Planned Giving

Jaclyn Stewart-Strothmann has spent the past 15 years in the non-profit sector supporting organizations across education, healthcare, and classical performing arts. In her current role as Senior Director of Major and Planned Giving at the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, the second oldest orchestra in the United States, she leads planned and major gift efforts to enrich lives through the power of music.

Previously, Jaclyn was the Director of Development for Clinical Campaigns at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, the county’s seventh-largest hospital. Her career also includes roles as Director of Institutional Advancement at The College School and Senior Associate for the United States Heartland-China Association led by former Missouri Governor Bob Holden. Jaclyn holds a Master of Arts and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Webster University.