Austin Community Foundation (ACF) is excited to launch the Professional Advisors Council, a cross-disciplinary group of financial advisors, estate-planning attorneys, and CPAs who share a commitment to strengthening Central Texas through strategic philanthropy.
The Professional Advisors Council (PAC) was created to deepen collaboration between ACF and the professionals who help shape charitable giving across our region. Professional advisors are often at the center of important conversations about legacy, values, and community impact. They help individuals and families navigate complex financial decisions while identifying opportunities to support the causes they care about most. ACF serves as a trusted partner to professional advisors, offering philanthropic expertise that complements their services—from helping clients establish charitable funds to incorporating giving into estate plans and identifying tax-efficient giving strategies.
What the Council Will Do
The PAC serves as a forum for sharing ideas, identifying emerging trends in charitable planning, and exploring innovative ways to help clients achieve their philanthropic goals. By bringing together experts from multiple disciplines, ACF aims to foster meaningful conversations that benefit advisors, their clients, and the broader community.
Through the Council, advisors will gain access to charitable giving resources, educational opportunities, and a peer network focused on advancing strategic philanthropy. Members will also provide feedback that helps ACF strengthen its services and develop solutions that meet the evolving needs of donors and their advisors.
Meet Our Inaugural Members:
- Riley Alcozer, Partner & Founder, Hardie Alcozer
- John Brazil, Senior Vice President, Northern Trust
- Rudy Colmenero, Attorney at Law & Certified Public Accountant, Vacek Kiecke & Colmenero, LLP
- Jackie Connor, Partner, Cherry Bekaert Advisory, LLC
- Chris Cyndecki, Wealth Advisor, Pioneer Wealth Management Group
- Jessica Forrest, Wealth Planner, Austin Asset
- Emily Franco, Attorney, McGinnis Lochridge
- Josh Galatzan, Founder & CEO, Meridian Wealth Advisors
- Hailey M. Hanners, Attorney, Osborne, Helman, Scott, Knisely & Stanton, LLP
- Faye Hilpert, Market Leader, PNC Private Bank
- Mia Karides, PC Relationship Advisor & Austin Operating Officer, Brown Advisory
- Meredith N. McIver, Attorney, Ytterberg Deery Knull, LLP
- Anna Near, Attorney, Saunders & Near, PLLC
- Liz Nielsen, Attorney, Nielsen Law, PLLC
- Stephen Saunders, Attorney, Saunders & Near, PLLC
- Erin N. Tuggle, Partner, Jackson Walker, LLP
- Jordan Ware, Shareholder, Winstead PC
- Whitney Warmack, Managing Director, Caprock
Looking Ahead
We are grateful to the inaugural members of the Professional Advisors Council for sharing their expertise and leadership. To learn more about the PAC, please contact Stephanie Sessa, Senior Donor Relations Officer, at ssessa@austincf.org.
