Omaha continues to be a community filled with some of the most generous people in the nation. Now, 13 local professionals who completed the coursework to earn the professional Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®) designation will be ready to increase the philanthropic population in the community.

The graduate-level curriculum is organized by the Omaha Community Foundation (OCF) and led by Mark Weber, who introduced the idea of the CAP® program. The entire year-long course is designed to make Omaha a stronger philanthropic community.

Weber, who is the primary facilitator of the classes, says it’s working and the future is brighter with each graduating class of professionals better prepared to help create more educated, engaged, and philanthropic citizens.

“We are changing the culture of estate planning in the city of Omaha,” he said. “The result will be stronger families and more generous families. Because of the number of CAP® advisors, the impact will be felt for decades to come in our city.”

Weber launched the CAP® program in 2011 with a unique approach. Instead of going it alone, advisors and nonprofit professionals study together and learn from each other’s experiences in a group setting.

With the addition of the 13 members of the 2021 class, 131 professionals with careers in law, finance, nonprofit development, and others have earned the designation.

Congratulations to the 2021 Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy graduates.

  • Kathy Bertolini – CHI Health
  • Wendy Cooley – Seim Johnson, LLP
  • Brandon Dirkschneider – Insurance Designers
  • Nate Driml – Mercy High School
  • Brett Ebert – Ball, Loudon, Ebert & Brostrom, LLC
  • Adam Grieser – Fraser Stryker PC LLO
  • James Huerter – Security National Bank of Omaha
  • Donna Kush – Omaha Community Foundation
  • Emily Prauner – Fontenelle Nature Association
  • James Shoquist – Northwest Wealth Management Inc.
  • Andrew Sigerson – Legacy Design Strategies, P.C., LLO
  • Michael Thompson – Boys Town
  • Karen Van Dyke – Educate Uganda

The professional designation of Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy offered by the American College of Financial Services is earned by passing tests for three courses out of the Masters of Science and Financial Services curriculum. Rather than simply earn the designation it provides participants with the knowledge, resources, and tools necessary to help clients reach their charitable giving objectives, while also helping them meet their estate planning and wealth management goals.

You can learn more about the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®) designation here or by emailing kelli@omahafoundation.org.