Donor Stories

I am originally from New York, I was actually born in Manhattan and raised in Westchester County. In my early teens, my family moved to Miami (now referred to as Pinecrest). I went to college in Washington, DC and came back for my master’s degree at the University of Miami. Fast-forward to today, I am married, and we have one daughter, who is a junior in college, who is studying abroad this semester in London. My hobbies include: hiking (when possible), paddle boarding, and reading. My father instilled in me a sense of giving back when I was a young child, and I try and leave by this creed daily. In addition to my philanthropic efforts at NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale, I continue with my involvement with the Joint Tax & Estate Planning Seminar Steering Committee in Broward County, and I am a Broward Buddie, which is a short-term foster program for shelter dogs. Outside of Broward County, I am an Elon University Parent Ambassador, a group which strives to assist new parents of Elon students on the inherent challenges to college life.

My father was a huge inspiration to me as a child and as an adult. He was an estate planning attorney, so while I did not attend law school, my career as a trust officer in financial institutions further bonded us. As he worked with his clients on estate, tax, and philanthropic matters, I try and bring a philanthropic approach to my clients at the Private Bank. These clients have the ability to make transformational gifts, and I strive to assist them in making the right decision for their family and the community.

I am most proud of the impact I made within legacy giving at NSU during my nearly 7 years at the university. I worked with many donors on complex estate and financial plans that afforded them the ability to impact the university in a number of ways. In this respect, I am very thankful to Bonnie Clearwater, as she and I were able to work together, along with the art museum’s loyal donor base, to secure several significant legacy gifts and gifts of art that will help ensure the success of the museum today, tomorrow, and in the future.

When I started working at NSU, Bellissima was a featured exhibit at the art museum. I attended a docent-led tour and I was hooked. Simultaneously, I started working with Bonnie on closing a number of legacy gifts to the museum. Since then, my love and respect for the art museum has grown exponentially. I am proud of my recent legacy gift to the art museum, which is designated to the art museum Operating Expenses.

My philanthropy to the art museum stems from the fact that it’s a focal point of learning and culture in our community. Further, once you step into the art museum, I feel that there is a sense of belonging and happiness.

I derive the most pleasure of my relatively new role at the art museum of being the Chair of the Professional Advisory Board. We are tight-knit group of professional advisors in the community, whose goal is outreach and education to philanthropic donors about the wonders of legacy (or planned gifts) to the art museum.

I believe that the art museum is a place for people of varying ages to delve into the world of art, acceptance, diversity, passion, and culture. The art museum speaks to our community through these channels.