When the most recent graduating class of local professionals earned its Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®) designation it also earned a unique distinction that separates it from every class that came before it, the COVID class.

The entire year-long course designed to make Omaha a more generous community was completed in a virtual setting due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Every two-hour class meeting, guest speaker, and test preparation was conducted via Zoom.

Mark A. Weber introduced the idea of the CAP Study Group Program to Omaha in 2012 and is the primary facilitator of the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy classes. After a distinguished career as a financial advisor, he is now an author, public speaker, and consultant to families. Weber said he believes no other CAP® class in the nation has ever completed the course in an entirely virtual setting.

“It’s fun to see the impact CAP® graduates are having on the community. It might not ever get recognized, but they are the people behind-the-scenes,” said Weber, the President of Legacy Spectrum Advisor LLC. “I’ll be interested to see what impact this latest class has on Omaha as time goes on.”

With the addition of the 12 members of the 2020 class, 118 professionals with careers in law, finance, nonprofit development, and others have completed the program.

Creighton University’s Lauren Miltenberger chose to participate in the program as a way to improve herself, better educate her clients, and have an impact on the community.

“This has given me the confidence to have deeper conversations with donors about their overall legacy planning,” she said. “CAP® was able to align my personal giving experience with my professional experience in a way I don’t believe any other training or experience could.”

Congratulations to the 2020 Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy graduates.

  • Michael App – Bridges Trust
  • Jason Bombeck – BKD, LLP
  • Kyle Cartwright – Nebraska Cultural Endowment
  • Benjamin Deaver – Pansing, Hogan, Ernst & Bachman LLP
  • Laura Essay – Dvorak Law Group, LLC
  • John Gessert – Union Bank & Trust Company
  • Brian Gough – Hancock Dana
  • Daniel Hamann – Spectrum Financial Services
  • Tony LaMar – Archdiocese of Omaha
  • Lauren Miltenberger – Creighton University
  • Juan Padilla – Omaha Community Foundation
  • Deyna Rouse – Lutz & Company, PC

The Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy is a graduate-level, rigorous year-long course administered by The American College of Financial Services in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. 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.

CAP® courses are graduate-level and credits earned can be applied toward a Master of Science in Financial Services degree.

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