Apra Best Practice Webinar: The Politics of Philanthropy

Ann A. Deppman, J.D., serves as Assistant Vice President, Planned Giving at Virginia Commonwealth University.  At VCU Ann has been charged with building the university’s first comprehensive gift planning program with an emphasis on collaborative fundraising in a highly matrixed organization. Previously, Ann led gift planning efforts at the MCV Foundation on VCU’s medical campus and at Oberlin College. At Oberlin, Ann oversaw a program that was consistently recognized as an industry leader with one of the highest constituent participation rates in planned giving among peer institutions. Ann’s prior experience at Oberlin includes serving as a dean, program director, and pre-law advisor. Ann began her career as general practice attorney. Ann graduated with a B.A. from Middlebury College and received her J.D. from Vermont Law School. She is member of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners and a board member of the Virginia Gift Planning Council. In her free time Ann enjoys baking, walking her dogs, and spending time with her husband and children.

Wayne is the Chief Development Officer for New Life Ministries, a national charity devoted to helping people with mental health and life coaching from a Christian perspective. Wayne heads fundraising for the organization. Prior to that, Wayne headed planned giving for Intermountain Health Care Foundation, one of the largest healthcare systems in the world. He has served as a consultant to corporations and charities where he advised them on fundraising, sales, customer service and building stronger relationships with customers and constituents. He is a leading expert on planned giving and donor relations. An attorney with more than 20 years’ experience, he has worked with donors on tens of millions of dollars in donations and helped countless nonprofits build effective and dynamic fundraising and planned giving programs.

He is a sought-after trainer, consultant and speaker on motivation, customer service and leadership. In 2014, Fundraising Success Magazine honored him by awarding Wayne “The Most Inspirational Speaker of the Year.” Wayne is the author of six books including: Fundraising for Nonprofit Board Members, which is available on Amazon and at Wayneolson.com. His other works include: The Disney Difference, How to Give a Great Speech or Presentation, Big Gifts, Small Effort, and Think Like a Donor. His newest book, Words of Encouragement, is now available.

Wayne has worked as a consultant or trainer for dozens of charities in Canada and the U.S. Hundreds of charities depend on Wayne to broaden and grow their fundraising. They use his writing in their websites, magazines, brochures and newsletters. He has been published in many periodicals including Planned Giving Today, Advancing Philanthropy, Nonprofit Times, 256 Magazine, and has twice been featured in the Chronicle of Philanthropy.

Wayne has spoken to AFP International Conferences, Mensa, NASA, AFP Congress Toronto, Space and Missile Defense, Synovus Bank, Leadership Huntsville, Rotary conferences, Nonprofit University, National Philanthropy Day and many more.

Wayne has served on the boards of three charitable organizations and volunteers for several more. Wayne earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and a law degree from Stetson University College of Law. He is an Eagle Scout and the father of two Eagle Scouts.